Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

At this moment, an eunuch hurried into the hall and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, there is an envoy seeking to see you."

Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly stunned, and then asked: "Who is the envoy?"

The eunuch replied: "It is the Wala envoys. They said they have important matters to discuss with Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang was puzzled when he heard this. He did not expect that the Oirat people would send envoys at this time. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Let them in."

Soon, the Wala envoys entered the hall. The middle-aged man in the lead, wearing a mink fur coat and a gilded headband with a sapphire on his forehead, was none other than Bayan Temur, the younger brother of Wala Grand Master Yesen.

He bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Your Majesty, I am here to discuss important matters with you."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly and said, "Grand Master, please speak."

Bayan Temur glanced at Zhu Biao and Zhu Han, and then said, "Your Majesty, our Oirat and the Ming Dynasty are friendly countries, but in recent years, frictions have arisen due to some misunderstandings. This time, I came here to discuss peace talks with Your Majesty to resolve the grievances between the two countries."

Zhu Yuanzhang was overwhelmed with joy when he heard this. He had never expected that the Oirat people would take the initiative to propose peace talks.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Grandmaster, what you said is absolutely right. I am also willing to negotiate with the Oirat to resolve the grievances between the two countries. However, the negotiation requires sincerity from both sides. I wonder what conditions Grandmaster has?"

Bayan Temur smiled and said, "Your Majesty is indeed straightforward. My condition is very simple. As long as the Ming Dynasty can cede the three states south of the desert to the Oirat, we, the Oirat, are willing to form an everlasting friendship with the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned when he heard this. The Oirat people actually proposed such harsh conditions.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Grandmaster, the three states south of the desert are the territory of our Ming Dynasty. How can we cede them so easily? This matter still needs to be carefully considered."

Bayan Temur was not in a hurry when he saw this. He smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right. This matter does need to be considered in the long run. However, I believe that under the wise leadership of Your Majesty, the Crown Prince, and Prince Jing, the Ming Dynasty will definitely make a wise decision."

After saying this, Bayan Temur bowed and said goodbye, then left the hall with the Oirat delegation.

After the celebration banquet, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned Zhu Biao and Zhu Han. The three of them sat around the dragon table and began to discuss how to deal with the Wala people's plan for another attack.

"Father, the Oirat people have put forward such harsh conditions, they will definitely not give up." Zhu Biao said anxiously, "We must prepare as soon as possible to prevent them from attacking again."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Biao'er is right. However, the peace talks must continue. We cannot completely break with the Oirat people, otherwise it will lead to a bigger war."

Zhu Han also added: "Your Majesty's words make sense. I think we can discuss peace talks with the Oirat people while strengthening border defense. At the same time, we can also send envoys to the Oirat people to find out their true strength."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly after hearing this: "Brother Han, what you said makes sense. Then I will leave this matter to you. I want you to reach a peace agreement with the Oirat in the shortest possible time and find out their true strengths and weaknesses."

After the discussion, Zhu Han immediately began to prepare. He selected several smart and capable envoys and went to Wala to find out the truth.

At the same time, he also strengthened the border fortifications and sent elite troops to garrison key locations.

Not long after, the envoys returned to Jinling with the news they had obtained.

It turned out that the Oirat people were secretly accumulating strength and preparing to attack the Ming Dynasty again. Moreover, they colluded with other tribes in an attempt to jointly deal with the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Han immediately reported the news to Zhu Yuanzhang. Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned. The Oirat people were so cunning and changeable.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Han, this matter is of great importance. We must make a decision as soon as possible to deal with the Wala people's plan to attack again."

Zhu Han nodded and said, "Your Majesty is right. I think we can send envoys to Wala to discuss peace with them. At the same time, we can also strengthen the border defense to prevent them from attacking suddenly."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly after hearing this: "Brother Han, what you said makes sense. Then I will leave this matter to you. I want you to reach a peace agreement with the Oirat in the shortest possible time and strengthen the border defense."

Zhu Han bowed and said, "I obey your order."

The next morning, Zhu Han set out for Wala with a carefully selected group of envoys.

Along the way, they slept in the open air, experienced many hardships, and finally arrived at the Wala camp.

In the Oirat camp, Bayan Temur had already received the news and knew that the Ming envoy was coming.

He sat upright in the big tent with a playful smile on his face, as if waiting for Zhu Han's arrival.

Zhu Han walked into the tent, bowed to Bayan Temur, and said straight to the point: "Grandmaster, I came here this time to discuss the peace between our two countries. Oirat and Ming are friendly countries. Why should we go to war because of some misunderstandings?"

Bayan Temur smiled and said, "Prince Jing is wrong. The grudge between the Ming Dynasty and the Oirat Mongols cannot be summed up by the word misunderstanding. Moreover, the Ming Dynasty is now prosperous. If the Oirat Mongols do not take this opportunity to gain some benefits, won't they always be inferior to others?"

Zhu Han sneered inwardly when he heard this. He had already expected Bayan Temur to say this, so he had already prepared a countermeasure.

He said in a deep voice: "Grandmaster, what you said is wrong. Although the Ming Dynasty is strong, the Oirat is not a weak force either. If the two countries really fight, it will only be a situation where both sides will suffer. Moreover, the Ming Dynasty and the Oirat have many common interests. Why should we damage the harmony for a few disputes?"

When Bayan Temur heard this, a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes. He pondered for a moment and said, "Prince Jing's words make sense. But I wonder what kind of interests the Ming Dynasty is willing to share with the Oirat?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly and said, "Master, have you ever heard of the Silk Road?"

Bayan Temur nodded and said, "Of course I have heard of it. The Silk Road is a channel for trade between the East and the West, and it is of great benefit to both the Ming Dynasty and the Oirat Mongols."

Zhu Han continued, "That's right. This time I came here to discuss with the Grand Tutor to reopen the Silk Road and make the trade between Ming and Wala more prosperous. In this way, both countries can benefit from it, so why not do it?" Upon hearing this, Bayan Temur's eyes flashed with excitement. He didn't expect Zhu Han to propose such an attractive condition, which was undoubtedly a huge temptation for him.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Although what Prince Jing said is good, I have some doubts. Why is the Ming Dynasty so generous and willing to share the benefits of the Silk Road with the Oirat?"

Zhu Han smiled and said, "Grandmaster, you worry too much. The Ming Dynasty and the Oirat were originally friendly countries, but now they are facing a common enemy - the remnants of the Northern Yuan Dynasty. If the two countries can work together to fight against the Northern Yuan Dynasty, the prosperity of the Silk Road will be just around the corner. Moreover, the prosperous trade between the Ming Dynasty and the Oirat will greatly benefit the people of both countries, so why not do it?"

He pondered for a moment and said, "Prince Jing's words make sense. But this matter is of great importance. I need to discuss it with the Khan before making a decision."

Zhu Han nodded and said, "Of course. I understand the Grand Master's concerns. However, I hope the Grand Master can give me a reply as soon as possible. After all, time is running out and the remaining forces of the Northern Yuan Dynasty may launch an attack on the two countries at any time."

He pondered for a moment and said, "Don't worry, Prince Jing. I will give you a reply as soon as possible."

Zhu Han cupped his hands and said, "Then I will wait patiently for the good news from the Grand Master."

Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed when he heard this.

Zhu Han smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I have discussed the peace talks with Bayan Temur during my visit to Oirat. I proposed reopening the Silk Road to make trade between Ming and Oirat more prosperous. Bayan Temur agreed, but he needed to discuss it with the Khan before making a decision."

He pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Han, you have done a great job. If this is successful, you will be a hero of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Han quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. I am only doing my duty."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "Brother Han, there is no need to be modest. I have seen all the contributions you have made to the Ming Dynasty. When this matter is accomplished, I will definitely reward you handsomely."

The Khan of the Oirat Mongols expressed his willingness to negotiate with the Ming Dynasty and reopen the Silk Road to make trade between the two countries more prosperous, but the prerequisite was that the Ming Dynasty must cede the three states south of the desert to the Oirat Mongols.

He pondered for a moment and said, "I cannot agree to the Wala people's conditions. The three states south of the desert are Ming territory. How can we cede them so easily?"

Upon hearing this, the envoy hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the Khan said that if the Ming Dynasty does not agree to this condition, then the Oirat will have no choice but to fight the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly and said, "If the Oirat people dare to invade the Ming Dynasty, I will make sure they never return!"

Seeing this, the messenger hurriedly left. Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the messenger's back, and anger surged in his heart.

"Brother Han, what do you think about this matter?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

Zhu Han pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I think we can agree to the conditions of the Oirat people first, but require them to release the captured Ming soldiers and withdraw a hundred miles. After the two countries have a successful peace talks and reopen the Silk Road, we can slowly plan to take back the three states south of the desert."

He pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Han, what you said makes sense. Then I'll leave this matter to you."

The next morning, Zhu Han led the envoys to Wala again. This time, he was full of determination and vowed to strive for the greatest benefit for the Ming Dynasty.

Soon, Zhu Han led the envoys into the Wala camp. Bayan Temur hurriedly went forward with a polite smile on his face.

"Your Highness Prince Jing has come from afar, and I'm sorry for not welcoming you in person." Bayan Temur said with a bow.

Zhu Han smiled slightly, bowed and said in return: "You are too polite, Grand Master. This time I came here to discuss the peace talks between the two countries. I hope we can resolve the dispute in a peaceful way and save the people of the two countries from the suffering of war."

Upon hearing this, Bayan Temur nodded secretly in his heart and said, "Prince Jing is right. Our Oirat and the Ming Dynasty are friendly countries. Why should we go to war because of some misunderstandings? However, I wonder what Prince Jing thinks about the conditions for peace talks?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly and said, "Grandmaster, I came here this time to discuss this matter with you. I think that the peace talks between the two countries should be based on the overall situation. Although the three states south of the desert are the territory of our Ming Dynasty, it is worth it if we can use them to exchange for peaceful coexistence between the two countries and save the people from the suffering of war. However, I hope that the Grandmaster can understand that the Ming Dynasty also has its bottom line and dignity and cannot easily cede territory."

When Bayan Temur heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Prince Jing's words make sense. I wonder what specific peace talks Prince Jing has?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly and said, "I think we can adopt a compromise plan. The Ming Dynasty can cede a part of the land to the Oirat, but not all of the three states south of the desert. At the same time, the Ming Dynasty can also give the Oirat some compensation in other aspects, such as trade preferences, technical support, etc. In this way, both countries can benefit from it, so why not do it?"

Upon hearing this, Bayan Temur's eyes flashed with excitement: "Prince Jing is right. However, this matter is of great importance. I need to discuss it with the Khan before making a decision."

Zhu Han nodded and said, "Of course. I understand the Grand Tutor's concerns. However, I hope the Grand Tutor can give me a reply as soon as possible. After all, time is running out and the people of both countries are eager for peace."

Bayan Temur cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, Prince Jing. I will give you a reply as soon as possible."

Zhu Han smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I have discussed the peace talks with Bayan Temur during my visit to Wala. I proposed a compromise plan. Ming can cede some land to Wala, but not all of the three states south of the desert. At the same time, Ming can also give Wala some compensation in other aspects. Bayan Temur agreed with this, but he needs to discuss it with the Khan before making a decision."

Zhu Yuanzhang heard this and a hint of approval flashed in his eyes. He pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Han, you have done a great job. If this is successful, you will be a hero of the Ming Dynasty. However, the Oirat people are greedy by nature and I am afraid they will not easily agree to your conditions. Do you have any countermeasures?"

Therefore, Zhu Han led the envoys to Wala again to discuss the specific matters of peace talks with Bayan Temur. After many days of negotiations and dealings, the two sides finally reached a consensus.

After the peace talks were successful, Zhu Han led the envoys back to Jinling. When he entered the Fengtian Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang had been waiting for a long time. Zhu Han hurriedly stepped forward to salute and reported the results of the peace talks to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang walked up to Zhu Han, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Brother Han, you have done a great job. If this is successful, you will be a meritorious official of the Ming Dynasty. I will reward you handsomely."

Zhu Han immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. I am just doing my duty. Moreover, this matter cannot be accomplished without the support of Your Majesty and the Crown Prince." (End of this chapter)