Han Du explained: "Horses are important to cavalry, but if they are used to eat meat, they are not as good as cattle and sheep. Moreover, it only takes less than a year to raise a sheep from a lamb, and it only takes two years for a cow, but horses It will take four to five years. As long as we deliberately raise the prices of cattle and sheep, it will be more cost-effective to raise cattle and sheep than to raise horses. Then the emperor thinks, do the Meng Yuan people prefer to raise cattle and sheep, or horses?"
Zhu Biao suddenly realized that Ming Dynasty and the grassland started a mutual trade, exchanging grain for their cattle and sheep. Since the grassland tribes can survive by raising cattle and sheep, they will naturally choose to raise more cattle and sheep. If there are more cattle and sheep, there will naturally be fewer horses.
Without enough horses, how could the grassland tribes gather cavalry? The threat to Ming Dynasty naturally no longer exists.
"A good idea...but I still need to think about this matter."
This matter is too important. If it works well, as Han Du said, the grassland will no longer be a threat to the Ming Dynasty, and will even become a help to the Ming Dynasty. But once it doesn't work well, it's extremely easy to fall short.
Even though Zhu Biao was extremely excited, he had to be cautious.
After a pause, Zhu Biao said to Han Du: "This time you destroyed the Khan's court, defeated the Tatar Arutai, and suppressed Oara. You have made outstanding achievements. I will definitely reward you and make you the Duke of the country based on your merits!"
Hearing this, Han Du quickly stood up and bowed respectfully: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"
"Hahaha, get up quickly." Zhu Biao helped Han Du up with his own hands and said with a smile: "In fact, with your merits, you are already enough to be granted the title of Duke. It was because my father wanted to leave this opportunity to me, so he kept suppressing it. But you didn’t seal it. Speaking of which, it’s me who is dragging you down. I hope you don’t blame me.”
Han Du hurriedly bowed humbly: "Your Majesty's words are serious. I have been lucky enough to receive the Emperor's grace. I don't dare to think about it anymore."
"That's good, go back and wait." Zhu Biao smiled and patted Han Du's arm.
...
There are many rituals involved in making a duke, and obviously they cannot be completed in one go.
First, Zhu Biao had to raise it in the court. Even if it's just a formality, you still have to pretend to be asking the officials for their opinions. Although Zhu Biao could also issue an order to seal it directly, but since he can do it more grandly, who would refuse the legitimate opportunity?
The next day, Zhu Biao raised the issue of Han Du's ennoblement in the court.
As expected, something unexpected happened. Even if Handu led the unparalleled feats of destroying the Khan's court, defeating Arutai of the Tartars, and annihilating the Oara, there were still people who opposed him.
】
Among them, people led by Qi Tai stood up to oppose. The reason is also very simple, that is, Han Du is too young.
Han Du is only thirty-five years old this year. To be granted the title of Duke at such a young age... In Qi Tai's words, it is not conducive to Han Du's future endeavors. Qi Tai said that he did not object to Han Du's enthronement, but he hoped to delay it for a few years and make Han Du older, so that everyone in the world would have nothing to say.
If you were an ordinary person, you might not be able to see the ruthlessness of Qi Tai's move. On the surface, it seems reasonable. You, Han Du, are so young. What does it matter if you are granted the title of Duke two years later?
But Han Du knew that the matter of granting a duke was just like fighting a war, it was about one vigorous effort and then another failure. If it fails when it is revealed for the first time, it will be almost impossible to be granted public status in the future.
Because people are jealous, I don't know how many pairs of eyes will be staring at you all day long, trying to find the slightest mistake in you, so that your road to becoming a prince will be aborted.
And this is Qitai's real sinister intention. As long as he stops Han Du from being granted the title of Duke today, it will be almost impossible for Han Du to be granted the title of Duke again for the rest of his life.
Of course, this reason was completely untenable, and was suppressed by Zhu Biao in an understatement.
At this point, the matter of Han Du's canonization was handed over to the Ministry of Rites in accordance with etiquette procedures, and there was no possibility of change.
At the same time, the news that Handu had defeated the Tatars and Oaras on the grassland spread instantly like a hurricane.
The common people only thought that the Marquis of Zhenhai was very powerful, able to defeat the Tatars and Oaras one after another, and completely eliminate the threat from the grassland for the Ming Dynasty.
But when the news reached the generals, they were all shocked and dumbfounded. Only those who have been to fight in the grasslands will know how difficult the grassland tribes are and how difficult it is to defeat the Tatars and Oaras.
A shining golden name was gradually placed on Han Du's head, the number one general in the world!
A few days later, the entire army finally crossed the Yangtze River.
But at this time, the incident of Handu offering sacrifices to Genghis Khan was leaked by someone unknown.
Immediately in the morning, a censor took this opportunity to challenge Han Du, demanding a strict investigation into the matter and giving an explanation to the people of the world.
Han Du was allowed to rest at home by Zhu Biao and did not know what happened in the morning.
After Tang Ding left the morning court, he didn't even return home and went directly to Han Mansion.
Seeing Tang Ding rush in anxiously, Han Du teased him while pouring him tea: "I'm a little flattered that you came to see me so soon."
Tang Ding, however, had no intention of joking with Han Du. Before he could catch his breath, he asked anxiously: "Let me ask you, have you ever worshiped Genghis Khan on the banks of the Onan River?"
Han Du's hand holding the teapot froze immediately, then he put his hands on the teapot and nodded with a smile: "Yes, what's the problem?"
"The problem is big!" Tang Ding immediately rushed to Han Du's side anxiously and stared at him: "You are the Marquis of Zhenhai in the Ming Dynasty, how can you go to worship Genghis Khan? Now there is an imperial censor impeaching you, saying that you are thinking of moving forward. , I want the emperor to punish you."
Han Du snorted coldly and said with a stern face: "It's simply nonsense. My heart is to go forward? I just wiped out the Tatars and Oats. Is there anyone else who wants to go forward like me?"
Tang Ding sighed earnestly: "I know you can't do it, but now you have to explain it clearly to the officials and let them know that you can't do it! Especially those in Qitai, they have been waiting for this opportunity for too long. Do you think they will give up easily?"
After a pause, he continued: "You should think carefully now about how to explain it to the officials."
Han Du glanced at Tang Ding, his expression gradually becoming serious. Indeed, this matter should not be underestimated. If Qi Tai and others had not fanned the flames, there would not have been any commotion. But with them here, even if there is no wind, there will probably be three-foot waves.
Just as Han Du was thinking about countermeasures, a butler, the fifth uncle, came to report: "Master Marquis, someone is coming from the palace."
Tang Ding stood up immediately and said: "It's probably the emperor who wants to ask you clearly. You'd better go to the palace to explain. I won't delay you."
"Okay, let's catch up on old times another day." Han Du nodded.
Han Du met the eunuch.
The eunuch took a step forward, bowed and said, "My servant pays homage to the Marquis. Your Majesty has summoned me, and I also ask that the Marquis enter the palace with your servant immediately."
Han Du didn't say much, nodded and followed the eunuch to Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Biao rarely reviewed the memorial and paced anxiously back and forth in front of the imperial case with his hands behind his back.
"Your Majesty, Marquis Zhenhai is here." Wang Yue saw Han Du standing at the entrance of the palace and whispered to the emperor quickly.
"Quick pass." Zhu Biao quickly reached out to Wang Yue to signal.
"The Emperor has a decree to announce Handu's audience~"
Han Du walked into the palace with his head lowered and bowed: "Your Majesty, Han Du, pays homage to the Emperor!"
"Please sit down if you come." Zhu Biao first ordered the eunuch at the door, and then asked quickly: "I ask you, have you ever worshiped Genghis Khan on the banks of the Onan River?"
Han Du sat on Jindun and nodded.
Zhu Biao was suddenly discouraged and said with great regret: "Why are you sacrificing him?"
Han Du smiled and said: "Your Majesty, the former Yuan Dynasty is also the world's orthodoxy recognized by the late emperor. Although I am a minister of the Ming Dynasty, there should be no problem in offering sacrifices to the former dynasty's orthodoxy, right?"
Zhu Biao nodded first, then shook his head, "That's what I said, but now some people think that the Ming Dynasty is different from the Yuan Dynasty, and you shouldn't sacrifice."
Han Du sneered: "Haha... Your Majesty, on the contrary, I think that the Ming Dynasty should not be so clearly separated from the former Yuan Dynasty. Since the Ming Dynasty inherited the orthodoxy of the former Yuan Dynasty, why should the Han people and the Mongolian people be separated? So clear?"
Zhu Biao suddenly noticed something in Han Du's words and couldn't help but ponder: "What do you think?"
Han Du cleared his throat and said, "I have a question. Does the Emperor think that the Ming Dynasty can completely wipe out the Mongolian people on the grassland?"
Zhu Biao suddenly let out a long sigh and said: "Although I also want to do it, thousands of years have proven that it is impossible."
Han Du nodded, "Since it is impossible to completely eliminate the Meng Yuan people, then the Ming Dynasty has to get along with them. The emperor thinks it is better to get along with each other as enemies as they are now, or to integrate the Meng Yuan people into the Ming Dynasty." good?"
"What do you mean?" Zhu Biao asked tentatively, as if he suddenly understood.
Han Du did not explain, but continued: "I think it is nothing for me to sacrifice to Genghis Khan, and the emperor should sacrifice to Genghis Khan to win the hearts of all Mongolian people!"
"Win Yuan Ren's heart?" Zhu Biao murmured to himself.
He has never thought about this problem. Daming has always had an attitude of conquest against the Mongolian people. When Lao Zhu was here, he wanted to comb the grassland every few years through constant conquests, like a comb, to prevent the Mongolian people from growing stronger again.
After Zhu Biao came to the throne, his views on the grassland were not as intense as those of Lao Zhu, but they were generally similar. Even if they agree to trade with the Mongolian people, it is only based on Lemi's ideas.
Now, Han Du gave him another opinion.
"Can this really win the heart of Yuan Ren?" Zhu Biao was a little moved.
After Han Du pondered for a moment, he said: "I am not sure whether I can accept it. However, I think it would be better if the emperor did it than not. Genghis Khan has the supreme status in the hearts of the Mongolian people. If the emperor can sacrifice him, at least It can resolve the hostility of the Mongolian people towards the Ming Dynasty. If we can cooperate with mutual trade and let the Mongolian people have food to eat, perhaps we can really eliminate this embarrassment once and for all."
