Jingming

Chapter 510 Double Happiness

The war is not over yet.

Even if there are hundreds of thousands of pigs running around, it is not easy to catch them, let alone the elites of the grassland tribes?

But the Khan Court is over.

Zhu Houcong finally saw I Da, and he looked at the silent man with some surprise: "I thought... you would break out of the encirclement no matter what, at least you would fight to death, or even commit suicide..."

Anda just looked up at him and didn't answer anything.

One is sitting high up, and the other is tied and kneeling down.

The one who accomplished such a great feat was just a sentry gunman led by a small captain in the Beijing camp. Now, they are all excitedly waiting to be received outside the emperor's military tent.

Zhao Zhenji angrily scolded: "Your Majesty asked, why didn't you answer?"

Zhu Houcong raised his hand: "I just sighed with emotion and didn't ask any questions. Let's loosen the ties."

"Your Majesty! You must not..."

Zhu Houcong waved his hand: "Lu Bing and the imperial guards are here. Besides, I am not a weak emperor."

Now to say that he dared to put himself in danger is really asking for trouble.

But this battle actually started when he succeeded to the throne more than 20 years ago, and now the results are just revealed.

An Da raised his head again and looked at this calm old opponent.

For most of Anda's life, he only thought about one thing, how to deal with and defeat this terrifying opponent.

I replied with a bitter smile, right and wrong, how could such a simple conclusion be enough to explain right and wrong?

"For so many years, all the tribes have been suppressed by me alone. I didn't capture Jining in one go, but you came so quickly...I already know many causes and effects, so how can I be so angry about it?" Ida stared at him, "It's just that we have been enemies for many years and it's a pity that we can't meet each other."

Usurping the throne and seizing power determined that he could only suppress various tribes. Hundreds of thousands of troops marched southward, leaving many flaws in the eyes of this old rival. Although his military strength was so powerful, he was not at all like some of the previous emperors of the Han people, who reached the real front line so quickly.

"Hundreds of years of enmity, you for the people of the Khan Court, and I for the people of the Ming Dynasty, it's all due to the current situation."

Even his own personal safety was considered as part of the great cause.

He has his own pride and doesn't want to appear willing to gamble but not admit defeat.

Before being escorted in, Anda had already been searched all over his body. Without a long-range attack weapon, how could he get up close?

Putting his hands on his knees, he looked up at his old rival and asked in Chinese: "Have you learned Mongolian?"

The two of them are about the same age, so Anda felt nothing but indifference from all the words he heard after that.

"...Is that all?" Zhu Houcong looked at him doubtfully, "Is it possible that there are things in Chagatai, Tubo, and North Korea that can be exchanged for you?"

"Bold..."

It sounded like there was no personal grudge, but when a bowl of wine was poured in front of An Da, Zhu Houcong said again: "How I treat my people does not need to be exchanged by humiliating you. Whether the vassals fight or surrender, I do not need to keep you. Be an example. But you are serious about harming the stability and development of the Ming Dynasty by raising troops to invade the south. I drink a bowl with you as a tribute to my opponent. After drinking this bowl, you will be killed for the crime you have committed! The soldiers who died in the battle and the people in the border area will not allow me to enjoy your lively and respectful submission for my own selfish purposes."

"...Bring some wine."

Zhu Houcong shook his head with some disappointment: "Could it be that you saved your life just to compete with me for this spirit?"

Zhu Houcong heard this order.

Ida looked at him deeply before sitting on the floor.

The results have come out. Even if the military advantage is so great, isn't it still a defeat?

Zhu Houconn didn't care: "Since the grassland tribes are thriving and living in the world, there is a reason to continue to thrive. Without those of you who think that the Han monarchs and ministers will definitely exterminate the grassland tribes, the grassland tribes can thrive and live better. We settle down for farming. You are nomadic and nomadic, each with your own way of living. For thousands of years, if you had not been determined to turn the fertile fields south of the Yinshan Mountains into pastures, how could the Han army have fought back?"

Almost all the Ming cavalry, which were best able to deal with the prairie cavalry, were sent away.

Someone went to get wine, and Zhu Houcong said: "As you can probably guess, the elite cavalry in the Ming border area are nowhere to be seen. They and the servant cavalry who have returned to the Mongolian people have all gone to the Khan Court."

Zhu Houcong looked at Zhao Zhenji again when he heard this, but he didn't blame him. He just answered naturally in Mongolian that he didn't know well: "Among my concubines, some are from the Duoyan tribe and the Ordos tribe."

Now, he doesn't care about the glory of destroying the country and capturing the king. Doesn't he care about the pleasure of seeing himself humble and flattering?

"... Hetao... Daning... there are obviously no first-class generals left. You came to the battlefield in person, do you think you underestimate me so much?"

But this opponent only carried out his strategy indifferently and methodically, eradicating external enemies and hidden dangers, and implemented his new laws to make Ming Dynasty stronger.

An Da was stung by the pure doubt in his eyes, and then slowly lowered his head: "Since I have lost, the world is yours. Exchange... If we talk about exchange, look at how you have treated the people who surrendered to the border for so many years. Looking at Khalkha's hesitation towards my decision, I can only exchange my obedience for you to treat my people more kindly in the future. I have not taken this road, but I have no regrets. I don’t regret my past choices and my current choices.”

This time, I changed back to Mongolian.

When I said this, I stopped again.

Zhu Houcong also changed back and said calmly: "No, I just look up to you. If I don't come, I'm afraid the army's morale will be unstable. Now that I'm here, since you are fighting with your back against the enemy, there are seven chances of you coming to me. As much as 80%.”

"...still underestimate me. There are more than 100,000 elites and more than 200,000 young men..."

It can't be said that he is completely underestimated, but... just like the rumored love for machinery, in the eyes of this old rival, he, the Lord of the Khan Court, seems to be just a part in the machine, a link in many things.

I didn't react at all, I just looked down at the back of my hand.

Perhaps many of the confusions in my heart can only be carried with me after death.

That's all, I still couldn't get him right.

Ida silently picked up the bowl and looked at him for the last time: "Please leave a way for the grassland people to survive."

Until Zhu Houcong finally said: "The grievances of more than 20 years have been settled today. You endure the humiliation and survive. Whatever you want to ask and say, just speak frankly."

This battle was purely unjust.

During the process of being released, Ida remained silent.

The Emperor of Ming Dynasty had actually sentenced An Da to death in this meeting.

Used to win over the hearts and minds of the grassland tribes? Zhu Houcong said it was not necessary.

To frighten those vassal states that are baring their teeth against the Ming Dynasty this time? Zhu Houcong said it was not necessary.

On the contrary, over the years, the soldiers who died in the Ming Dynasty border area and the border residents who were killed need an explanation.

Zhu Houcong doesn't need the pleasure of watching me answer "can sing and dance".

He possesses knowledge and structure far beyond the times. Zhu Houcong always feels that such a victory is natural and there is no need to be so boastful and proud.

What's more, this is just a new beginning for the pattern of the northern border. Only if a new order can be established and the possibility of another threat to the south of the Great Wall can be truly eliminated in the future will the foundation of governance be more evident.

But the border troops began to encircle and suppress the fleeing remnants, and the emperor took the lead in returning to the capital. The arrow outside Xuanfu City could be pulled out.

Almost twenty years.

At that time, Zhu Houcong, who shot this arrow, was just over twenty.

Now that he is getting older, he is finally able to pull out this arrow.

"I thought I would stay in the north for at least two or three years this time."

"Your Majesty is wise and powerful!" Guo Xun sincerely praised him. "If we don't go to Datong first, we won't be able to grab a short enough time for my ministers to lead the capital camp north. If we don't abandon Defesheng Fort and go to Jining, we won't be able to force Anda to lead the army. The army rushes into battle and decides the outcome in one fell swoop.”

Flags were being hunted outside Xuanfu City. A high platform was built next to the monument that was erected back then. Zhu Houcong looked at the weathered arrows in front of him.

What Guo Xun said naturally makes sense.

The result was good, so the decision-making period before going directly from Xuanfu to Datong and receiving the arrival of the Anda army in the Shajing area was shortened. Zhu Houcong decided to garrison the Victory Fort, and only then did Guo Xun, with the consciousness of sacrifice, lead the Beijing camp to reinforce Jining. Zhu Houcong passed through the Victory Fortress on the way and arrived at Jining Haixi. Only then did Anda directly lead his army into the formation to decide the outcome in a single battle when he was only one breath away from attacking Jining.

But if the result is not good, it will naturally be a different story now.

In the history books, Guo Xun and Mao Bowen were both officials who committed crimes against the country and the people. Because of the pride of the Ming Dynasty's past achievements, they "encouraged" the emperor to go through dangerous situations, so that the Ming Dynasty once again hunted the emperor in the north.

It's really dangerous.

Zhu Houcong reached out and grasped the already brittle arrow shaft. This is an arrow shot by the emperor, and he also said that he would pull it out in the future. It has been exposed to wind and sun, and even if someone comes to oil and paint it every year to maintain it, the arrows are now in very bad condition.

Today the emperor is coming to fulfill his oath, and the arrows have been dealt with in advance.

Now it comes out naturally and easily.

The soldiers below the stage could not hear what the emperor, Guo Xun and other important ministers said. When they saw the situation on the stage, they roared with the roar of mountains and tsunami.

"Your Majesty is wise and mighty, eradicating the Northern Troubles, and his achievements will last forever!"

With a smile on his face, Zhu Houcong raised the arrow and raised it slightly to respond to the soldiers in the audience and the people in the distance.

"Actually, you and I have not figured it out at all."

"Your Majesty is saying?"

"The Ming Dynasty is what it is today, not just because of me. If I were not here, the Ming Dynasty would be turned upside down." Zhu Houcong calmly looked at the soldiers and civilians who supported him from far and near, but said to his ministers: "I am very important to you, because I am I can trust you and reuse you. It is also important for the soldiers who are facing the crazy Northern barbarians that I can fight side by side with them, never retreat, and fulfill the requirement of 'defending the homeland and the country' during the military reform. But for For the people of the Ming Dynasty, the new law is irreversible. The Ming Dynasty will continue to grow stronger for at least two or three generations. Whether I am still in office or not is not that important."

Zhao Zhenji and others were shocked and didn't know how to respond.

"I just know that whether I answer or you, they will naturally amplify my role, so I decided on this strategy." Zhu Houcong stared at the arrow in his hand, "I can really prepare for the worst. Only then can I He entered the situation with his own body and forcibly created a decisive battle situation. But the ones who defeated the Beilu were the soldiers, the craftsmen who had improved and made weapons for so many years, and the logistics officers, soldiers and civilians who transported military supplies."

Looking at Zhao Zhenji, Zhu Houcong smiled: "Meng Jing, if you want to record this battle after you go back, you must not forget this. I decided to join the battle personally because I believe in the power of the Ming Dynasty's unity for so many years. Judging from the battle situation, if that day It is difficult for the Beijing camp to withstand the heavy cavalry, and I am not ashamed to escape southward to the border wall first under the escort of the soldiers. If I try to contain it, I will keep Anda's army in the Jining area. Generally speaking, it will be a victory."

Zhao Zhenji looked at the emperor blankly: "... Just like what the General Staff said, it makes him feel like he can capture Jining, but it's just a little short of it?"

"If the fish is already hovering near the hook, and the float is flashing and flashing, the fishermen will always look at the float. How much other things can they care about at this time?" Zhu Houcong started to walk down, "not to mention that I am here. In my heart, I am really the biggest creature in the world. If I can catch it, it will be a blessing in my life."

The dignified emperor only now revealed his true plan.

If he can beat him, he will withstand the beating first. If he can't beat him, he will immediately flee south.

But everyone who is familiar with this emperor knows that even in that situation, he probably will not flee to the capital all at once, but will continue to show off around the Victory Fort.

Thinking of the "battlefield rumors" he arranged, Zhao Zhenji couldn't help but sigh for me.

The opponent of this prairie hero is obviously very powerful and yet so cunning.

……

He went on an expedition at the beginning of the year and returned in triumph at the end of the year.

The Ming Emperor's three imperial expeditions to the north finally convinced the people of the Ming Dynasty that the era of trouble on the Northern Road was over.

The northern captives who came all the way south, even though it was the Ming Dynasty who took advantage of the opportunity during the Eastern Expedition, played into the Ming Dynasty's intention of attacking the north for so many years: they were looking for a decisive battle.

It's just that the process of this decisive battle was too fast and hearty.

"Boasting about an army of hundreds of thousands, it shatters at the touch of a finger!"

"How many escaped? Can we catch them all?"

"Didn't you hear? Your Majesty has already sent General Ma to the Khan Court's lair. Where can they escape?"

"I heard that Mr. Ma is not even thirty yet..."

"I was kidnapped by the Tatars when I was young, and I secretly learned a good bow and horse! Don't you understand His Majesty's ability to recognize people? I heard that he is the chief instructor of Xuan Ning's 100,000 elite cavalry in Hetao!"

"Good guy..."

When the emperor returned to the capital, he also brought captives such as Anda, who were going to enter the city from the south gate to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth and to the Jie Tai Temple.

The prince was at the head, hundreds of officials greeted him, and the people of the capital celebrated together.

Zhu Zaiyi's career as a prisoner of the country is coming to an end, but he is not reluctant to leave.

With such a father around, you have to be good, not to mention that he is sincerely emotional.

I feel that my destiny has been fulfilled, that I have great blessings in the sky, that I am looking down upon the world, and that I am invincible.

At this time, I suddenly felt some commotion behind me.

"What's wrong?" Zhu Zaiyi asked.

"Your Highness..." A person hurriedly came from behind and bowed to Yang Shen again, "General Assistant... Over there in Tongzhou, Dongying Lubu Feijie was on the way. The King's Division was advancing with great success, and had already invaded the Japanese country on September 18th. Kyoto!”

"Ah..." Yang Shen beamed, "Is it really Lubu Feijie?"

"It happened today. Did they order them to go directly to the south of the city to show off their victory?"

"That's how it should be. With double happiness coming to your doorstep, Your Majesty will definitely be overjoyed!"

It was Lubu Feijie, but the people on the way there didn't know that today was the day for the imperial driver to return to Beijing.

When the Ming Dynasty was surrounded by enemies and the capital was empty, the defense network had already been laid out.

Even if military intelligence enters Beijing, they must go through the procedures first, for fear that some bad news will cause turmoil.

This arrangement has been made before, so it is better to wait for the emperor to return to Beijing and then lift the special status himself.

So I learned the news in advance.

Zhu Houcong did not know this good news for the time being, but now he has returned to his loyal capital again, with greater prestige.

An Da and others in the prison car naturally became the center of attention again. He did not do any other pretentious or humiliating behavior along the way.

It is a pity and confusion that I have never seen what kind of person that old rival is in person before.

The same is true if you can't see the Ming Dynasty with your own eyes.

More than twenty years have passed, how much has the capital of the Ming Dynasty changed in one generation?

The heavy industry park in the southwest suburbs, the new outer city wall, the newly built bell tower in the city, taller buildings made of cement... I can't see much.

It’s just that they are all scenes that cannot be seen on the grassland.

The people of the Ming Dynasty were pointing at them and cheering and praising their chariots. Their faces were full of pride and vitality.

Then several riders came from the east.

"Great victory in Japan! Great victory in Japan! On September 18th, the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Expedition, Xia Yan, and the chief military officer, Hanhaihou Yu Dayou, returned to the capital of Japan, conquered Japan's Kyoto, captured the Japanese king and his civil and military ministers, and captured valuables without calculation!"

"The Great Victory of Japan..."

The fast horse drove straight to the front. Zhu Houcong, who was sitting on the horse in military uniform, couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

"September...18th?"

He had been in the north for almost a year, and naturally he continued to fight in Japan for that long.

But at this point in time...

"I congratulate your Majesty, congratulations to your Majesty! You have eliminated the captives in the north, eradicated Japanese troubles in the east, and made the Ming Dynasty powerful all over the world. Your majesty's achievements will shine through the ages!"

Being able to meet at the right time, naturally all the officials bowed down at this moment, making the emperor happy.

After Zhu Houcong was stunned for a moment, he was really happy and laughed heartily: "Destiny!"

He was happy when I was defeated, but he was not as reckless as he is now.

It's just that the Ming Dynasty's first-line civil and military personnel, who should have been invincible, brought him such good news, and he entered the situation in the north, which can be regarded as a big gain.

Around the Spring Festival last year, all the vassals in the four borders invaded.

This Spring Festival, the Khan Court has become history, and the so-called eternal lineage of Japan will also become history.

The Ming Dynasty's growing national power made the vassal state feel dazzled, but those who did not believe in evil and looked directly at it would naturally become blind bastards.

When he came to his son and saw him standing up after giving a big salute, Zhu Houcong just smiled at him first, and then looked at Yang Shen: "Yongxiu, now the battle is over quickly, don't you feel a lot more relaxed? "

Yang Shen couldn't laugh or cry: "I almost died of fright when I learned that Your Majesty came out of the border wall. I respectfully welcome Your Majesty's triumphant return. Your Majesty, please don't tease me."

"Next, it's easy." Zhu Houcong looked at the city gate in front of him, knowing that he might not have to stay away from the city for any reason in the future, "Get off and go back to the palace!"

He prayed to heaven and earth and asked his son to do the work for him.

The Ancestral Temple is right next to the palace gate.

When the emperor entered the city, there were also people in the city cheering.

On this return trip, there was a great victory in which both countries were destroyed.

These two countries have been a serious thorn in the side of Ming Dynasty for many years. One is the future enemy that has not intensified, but in Zhu Houcong's mind needs to be solved more than the Beilu.

With his mind relaxed, Zhu Houcong was in a trance, remembering the first time he entered this city more than 20 years ago.

After coming out of the Ancestral Temple, when he arrived in front of the Meridian Gate, he looked left and right at the steles, and then looked up at the Hall of Heroes.

Yang Tinghe, Yang Yiqing, Wang Shouren, Fei Hong, Zhang Fuking, Gu Shilong, Yuan Zonggao, Sun Jiao, Li Jin, Xu Guangzuo, Zhu Qi, Li Quanli...an unknown number of faces seemed to be looming.

Among their smiles, Zhu Houcong also smiled.

He has been in the capital for more than 20 years. This answer is not worthy of his life, right?

Behind him is a city cheering and excited.

In front of him, when he arrived at Qianqing Palace, it was Sun Lan who led the harem to kneel down to welcome the master of the empire home.

Ever since the war broke out and he asked Tana and the others to return to Beijing first, they had "no taste for meat" for a few months.

So what's for dinner tonight?

(End of this chapter)