In May of the first year of Hongzhi, the new Khan of the Mongolian Empire, Dayan Khan Batu Mengke, led 50,000 cavalrymen south to Datong. The Mongolian cavalry camped near Datong for more than 30 miles.
As the northwest barrier of the capital of the Ming Dynasty, Datong Mansion has been prone to frequent wars over the years. Geographically, the Datong area is "connected to Shanggu in the east, Bingheng in the south, the Yellow River in the west, and the desert in the north." Its strategic position is extremely important. In ancient times, this place has been one of the main passages for northern nomads to enter the Central Plains. The ethnic minorities that once dominated the stage of Chinese history all entered the Datong area, and all the Han feudal dynasties in the past dynasties used the Datong area as the main battlefield to resist the southward movement of the northern nomads, and all regarded Datong as a way to consolidate their An important strategic base for northern border defense.
At this time, Zheng Yu, the commander of the Shanxi capital, personally patrolled the city wall to take strict precautions against the Mongols after receiving instructions from the court. According to Zhu Youtang's order, Mongolia had sent more than 500 envoys into the capital to pay tribute in the past few days.
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The capital of the Ming Dynasty, Sang Gan, the leader of the Mongolian envoy in charge of this tribute, was leading his daughter and several subordinates to wander on the streets of the capital.
On the surface, Sang Gan came to the capital of Ming Dynasty to pay tribute under the order of Batu Mengke. In fact, he wanted to spy on the situation of Ming Dynasty and see if the new emperor of Ming Dynasty could do it.
The last attack on the Lanzhou Guard was just a test by Batu Mengke. If the newly succeeded Emperor Hongzhi is mediocre and Ming Dynasty does not respond at all, then he will have no worries and can march in with iron hoofs and ZTE. The Great Mongol Empire is just around the corner!
Looking at the Eight Streets and Nine Moors of the Ming Dynasty Capital, there are many shops on both sides of the streets, with high-flying shop signboards and banners. The streets are busy with traffic and the crowds are like a tide. He couldn't help but sigh: "The Central Plains is so prosperous and prosperous! One day we Mongolians will come back and take possession of these gold and silver treasures, silk and satin, and skilled craftsmen as our own!"
Sang Gan's daughter smiled and said: "Father, can we defeat the Han emperor?"
"Of course we can. Our Mongolian cavalry is invincible in the world. We could conquer them a hundred years ago, and we can still do it now!" Sang Gan vowed to his daughter.
Sang Gan suddenly saw a house in the distance and remembered something, and said: "I heard that the current chief minister of the Ming Dynasty is Liu Ji. Before formally meeting the Han emperor, we first pay homage to this Ming Dynasty. "One person is worth ten thousand people. "The first assistant of "Above". Ba Genyongsi, please go back and pick out a few precious treasures and come with me."
"Yes" one of the guards following Sang Gan nodded in response.
"Father, I'm going too. I also want to see the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty."
Sang Gan and his entourage laughed loudly: "Nonsense, why are girls joining in the fun? The chief minister of the Han people is already an old man, and it's not like he is a young young man with anything to look at! You can lead a few guards around, and my father will I won’t accompany you anymore.”
...
In the Palace of Qianqing, Zhu Youtang first summoned Mou Bin, the former Jinyiwei Baihu. Since the last time Mou Bin followed Zhu Youtang to Fengming Courtyard, he was immediately promoted to the third rank commander second only to Palm Commander Wantong. Same knowledge. Mou Bin burst into tears of gratitude when he was conferred the title, and swore allegiance to Zhu Youtang to the death, even if it hurt his body and mind!
"Commander of the Imperial Guard, Mou Bin, is here to see Your Majesty!"
In the past few days, with all the complicated government affairs and staying at Kunning Palace at night, Zhu Youtang was so tired that he fell asleep while waiting for Mou Bin to come. Mou Bin's sudden sound woke up Zhu Youtang who was leaning on the chair.
Li Guang on the side smacked his mouth and thought: "This stupid pig with no eyesight, didn't he see that the emperor was taking a nap with his eyes squinted? I really don't understand how this kind of person became a third-grade servant."
Zhu Youtang opened his eyes, yawned, and said, "Get up and give me a seat."
As soon as he finished speaking, another eunuch quickly brought up a chair and placed it behind Mou Bin.
After Mou Bin carefully sat down, Zhu Youtang rubbed his eyes and asked: "How is it? Is the commanding officer doing a good job?"
After Zhu Youtang finished speaking, he glanced at Li Guang. Li Guang immediately understood and said softly: "I will leave first."
"Go outside and see when Liu Ji and the others will come, and report to me in advance."
Upon seeing this, Mou Bin thought: "Your Majesty must have entrusted me with some confidential matters." He cheered up and replied: "Thanks to your Majesty's kindness for appointing me as a commanding officer, I will do my best to do everything well." matter."
"Okay, I am relieved because of your love. I heard that the Tatar delegation has arrived in Beijing today? I want you to monitor their every move throughout the day and report to me immediately if there is any situation."
Zhu Youtang chatted with Mou Bin for a few more words. At this moment, Li Guang trotted in: "Your Majesty, Mr. Ge and the others are here."
Upon hearing this, Mou Bin immediately stood up and bowed his body and said, "I understand, so I will leave first."
.......
Early the next morning, Zhu Youtang arrived at Fengtian Hall, and all civil and military officials lined up in sequence. Mongolian envoy Sang Gan, who had rested in the post house early, led several of his followers and waited at Fengtian Gate with a list of tributes.
At this time, a eunuch came out of the palace and shouted loudly: "The Emperor of Heaven has a decree, and the Mongolian envoys began to come and play music~"
The ceremonial officer came out to receive the Mongolian envoys, and Sang Gan followed the ceremonial officer up the royal road.
At this time, I saw the Mongolian envoys striding into the palace and standing in salute, saying: "Blessed are the Ming Emperors."
The officials on both sides of Danqi were furious when they saw that the Mongolian envoys dared to be so rude and stood up to salute the emperor instead of kneeling.
The Mongolian envoy Sang Gan just stood looking at Zhu Youtang, with no intention of kneeling, and his eyes were full of disdain.
Zhu Youtang knew in his heart that this was Mongolia's provocation against him, and he did not take the initiative to speak, with a hint of murderous intent in his cold eyes.
Now Mongolia is once again unified and controls hundreds of thousands of people. It really wants to challenge the Ming Dynasty. Before Tumubao, the Ming Dynasty's army was a myth, and it had always maintained an undefeated record against Mongolia. But after the Tumubao Incident, Mongolia discovered that the so-called Ming Empire was nothing more than that, and it was not invincible. Especially in the face of Mongolia's constant border disturbances in recent years, Ming Dynasty has been more on the defensive, making it difficult to launch a large-scale proactive attack.
I heard that recently all the items that the Li Dynasty envoys paid tribute to the Ming Emperor were looted, and all the envoys were turned into headless corpses. This matter has caused quite an uproar. How could the Mongolian envoys not know about it?
Look, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty even dares to rob the tributes. Your Ming Dynasty has lost its former glory. We, the Mongol Empire, are going to take over the Central Plains again!
Faced with the Mongolian envoy's refusal to kneel, Zhu Youtang's lips curled up slightly, "You don't kneel, right?" Then there’s no need to keep your brain occupied in drinking kumiss!
Sang Gan looked disdainful, but in fact he was also very scared. They said that when the emperor was angry, millions of people would be killed. If this young emperor is full of vigor and vitality, he will not care about the exchanges between the two countries and will not cut off the envoys. If you kill yourself directly, then you will not only have no brains to drink kumiss, but also stop dreaming of re-entering the Central Plains.
what to do? Kneel him or not? He has the support of the Great Mongol Empire behind him, with 100,000 iron hoofs, and Datong has stationed 50,000 elite cavalry. He represents the Mongol Empire, and it is clearly written on the tribute list that Dayan Khan of the Great Mongol Kingdom sent it to the Emperor of the Southern Kingdom, which shows that his Khan did not take the Ming Dynasty represented by Zhu Youtang in his eyes.
The officials in the palace were already dumbfounded. Are all tributary countries so arrogant now? This is a challenge to Ming’s authority!
The first round of salutes is over.
At this time, rituals and music started again.
In full view of everyone, Sang Gan still did not bow his head and knelt down, but the followers behind him were already sweating profusely, their legs were trembling, and they could hardly stand still.
The civil and military officials in the hall still had no intention of kneeling when they saw Sang Gan, and Zhu Youtang didn't say anything either. If he, as a minister, doesn't stand up to find a place for his boss, then what else will he do? The hall instantly exploded, with comments, accusations, and curses coming from all over the place...
Liu Ji knew that he was the chief minister of the cabinet and had to stand up first. Liu Ji shouted sharply: "Why don't the Mongolian envoys kneel down when they see me, the Ming Emperor? You are so disrespectful to etiquette and disrespectful to me, the Ming Emperor. You have 10 heads." Well?"
"Yes, Dog Tartar, be careful. This is the capital of the Ming Dynasty, this is the Fengtian Palace, not your grasslands or yurts!"
"For being so disrespectful, Your Majesty, please punish the Mongolian envoy for the crime of disrespect!"
"Dog slave, do you really think I'm afraid of you? I will lead an army to destroy your yurt tomorrow!"
"If you don't kneel down, I'll kill you bitch slave!"
Civil and military officials began to criticize one after another, and some generals found it unpleasant to scold him and wanted to take action directly.
Zhu Youtang looked at the proud Mongolian envoys and suddenly laughed.
Everyone was even more puzzled by this smile. Is the emperor confused? Sang Gan's heart suddenly trembled. When he saw no trace of anger on Zhu Youtang's face, he laughed heartily. This laughter was confident and powerful.
Zhu Youtang stopped smiling and said slowly: "Since you are here to pay tribute on behalf of Mongolia, then by not kneeling, doesn't it mean that you are declaring war on me, the Ming Dynasty?
Sang Gan suddenly felt shocked. Was he declaring war on the Ming Emperor? Is Mongolia really confident that it can defeat the Ming Dynasty?
"Do you think your Mongolian troops will be safe and sound in our Datong camp? Believe it or not, I can prevent you from returning to the grassland with just a decree. I don't want your Mongolian tributes, but the face that Ming Dynasty has lost today must be questioned by you. Found it on the Mongols stationed outside Datong!"
What Zhu Youtang said was true. If he detained himself in the capital and secretly dispatched armies from all over the country to encircle him, the Khan outside Datong might not be able to return to the grassland. The reason why I came to pay tribute this time was just to explore the Ming Dynasty's background, and to get the Ming Dynasty to agree to carry out border market trade. If the dispute is too tense and you really break up with Ming Dynasty, not only will your own affairs be considered a failure, but it may also cause death for the Khan of Datong.
That's all, that's all, just kneel down to him. The Mongolian Empire will definitely come to settle accounts with you in the future! Sang Gan took a deep breath, slowly bent his knees, knelt on the ground and shouted loudly: "Mongol envoy Sang Gan pays homage to the Ming Emperor, your majesty pays homage to you!"
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