Lin Dan Khan, as the last Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, opposed the Manchus until his death. Naturally, the rulers of the Qing Dynasty did not think highly of him. They even deliberately portrayed him as stupid and stupid in historical records. , and added the words that he raised troops to massacre small Mongolian tribes to contrast the Manchurian Huang Taiji regime's "saving the Mongolian people from water and fire."
But after walking through the vast snowfield and arriving at the royal city of Chahanhot, Zheng Haizhu's first impression was that at least in the core ruling area of the Chahar tribe, Lin Dan Khan's layout was quite orderly.
This is the southern end of the Greater Khingan Mountains in later generations, where the Hulunbuir Grassland and the Xilin Gol Grassland meet. The pasture is lush and the water source is sufficient for irrigation. Not only is grazing worry-free, but proper agricultural cultivation can also be guaranteed.
"Madam, the Mongolian soldiers said that starting from the eastern valley, if it is a season with no snow or ice, you can reach the Horqin tribe by marching for three or four days."
Mangui came up immediately and said to Zheng Haizhu.
Zheng Haizhu looked up at Abagaharun Mountain where the royal city is located, nodded and said: "You are really good at choosing places, and you have built a lot of fortresses."
Ma Xianglin on the side agreed: "Even if the Horqin people were instigated by the Tatars and fought over them, they would not dare to go to the bottom of the valley. Otherwise, shooting arrows on the mountains would be like catching turtles in a urn. Looking at the way the royal city was built, it is no less generous than Shanhaiguan."
"So, Dalinghe Fort, Daning, and Chahanhot are actually the same as everywhere in Liaodong. They are all big defensive nets to stop the Tatars. These nets in the west and south need to be woven well and forced to Manchuria goes north to find a way out. If they encounter the Cossack army of Rakshasa, the two of them will be competing to see who is more powerful, the Tatars' rifles and bows, or the Cossacks' muskets."
Zheng Haizhu said, jumped off the horse and hurried to Unger and He Zhuo's car.
In front of the large army, there was also a group of people walking slowly from the direction of the city gate.
Looking at the officials who were supposed to be welcoming them, what was striking and strange was that in addition to a group of sheep that were probably used for labor, there were also dozens of strong cattle pulling a huge yurt. Looking from a distance, it looked like they were slowly moving. Moving palace.
"Hey, isn't that the chariot and hut that the Great Khan rewarded Chaoketu Taiji?" Unger asked curiously.
Ma Xianglin had become familiar with Unger because he had been pestered by the Mongolian dude to teach him some marksmanship skills. After listening to Man Gui's translation, he asked bluntly: "Unger Taiji, is Chelu the big tent?" ?Who is Chaoketu Taiji?"
Unger snorted, his curiosity mixed with disdain, and he did not shy away from showing a sarcastic tone in front of Mingren: "He is a prince from Mobei Outer Khalkha. He said that he devoted his whole heart to the Buddha and rubbed himself in front of the Khan. This I've been quite favored for two years."
Zheng Haizhu quickly digested the information in Unger's words, and asked Unger tentatively: "Is this Chaotu Taiji the Master Liansheng of Xin?"
Master Padmasambhava is the founder of the Nyingma sect of the Red Sect. Lin Danhan, who originally believed in the Yellow Sect of the Gelug Sect, suddenly converted to the Red Sect three or four years ago. Since Unger mentioned that he had been favored "in the past two years", Zheng Haizhu guessed that the Mobei prince probably believed in the Red Sect. teach.
In the current Chahar, it is impossible to use diplomatic skills without knowing the sects of the Khan's cronies.
Sure enough, Unger's narrow-minded look became even stronger, and he glanced at Zheng Haizhu: "You know better, did He Zhuo tell you? He Zhuo must be tired of him too."
"Unger Taiji, what are you talking about! Never have I disrespected the prince of Transkalkha!" He Zhuo finally got out of the car, stopped the talkative Unger, but also looked at the man suspiciously. The cabin is getting closer and closer.
Soon, the team in front arrived.
Chao Ketu Taiji, dressed in brocade and fur, dismounted from his horse.
"This prince looks quite reliable."
Zheng Haizhu commented secretly.
Like Unger, Chao Ketu was under thirty years old and very tall. However, unlike the latter, he did not have the appearance of a fat man with a bulging chest and a protruding belly. Instead, he was thin and had a rather large face under his leather hat. The Mongolian men are fairer, and with their handsome facial features, they actually have the gentle appearance of Han scholars.
The little prince opened his mouth and said something in Mongolian to Unger and He Zhuo. At the same time, he did not forget to cast his eyes at Zheng Haizhu and the two Ming Dynasty generals in a measured way, and naturally showed a sincere smile above the greetings.
However, He Zhuo always had a cold expression on his face. When Chao Ke Tu finished speaking, he turned to Zheng Haizhu and said, "Tai Ji said that he will lend you this dome, so that your lieutenants and some military leaders can rest in it. If there is a snowstorm at night, It was so heavy that it collapsed the soldiers' felt tents, so they had a place to spend the night without freezing to death."
Ma Xianglin and Man Gui were able to follow Zheng Haizhu into the royal city, but except for a few of their entourages and Zheng Haizhu's royal guards, the rest of the Ming army naturally had to be stationed outside the city and surrounded by the Mongolian Guards. .
Zheng Haizhu and Ma Xianglin hurriedly thanked Chao Ketu.
Chao Ke Tu became more and more gentle and said calmly: "Su Tai Ke Dun was very happy to hear that he was a brave soldier of your country and defeated the Jianzhou people. I happened to be in the Great Khan's tent at that time. I am also happy that the enemies of the Ye He tribe have received their retribution. This chehu was originally gifted to me by the Great Khan and Ketun, and it was also my intention to send it to the camp of the Ming warriors..."
"Okay, great poet," Unger interrupted impatiently, claiming that he had a higher status. "Don't you still want to write a few more poems for the people of the Ming Dynasty while the north wind is blowing? Hurry up and enter the city! "
It was the beginning of the new year. After a lot of hard work, we went up the mountain and entered the city. The sun was almost setting from the horizon of the snowy fields in the west.
The large yurts with the snow-capped mountains at their backs have thick wooden pillars, dazzling golden domes, and fluttering flags. The tall and majestic atmosphere reflecting the setting sun is no less than the palace buildings of the Han Dynasty.
Lin Dan Khan ordered the deacon under the tent to pass the message. It was already late and he would summon the Ming envoy tomorrow. The Ming people would first go to the guest tent in the east to stay.
Unger was happy to go back to his yurt first, hold the beauty in his arms and drink wine to relieve his fatigue, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
The little prince Chao Ketu offered to accompany him to the guest tent, but He Zhuo refused.
"Taiji is a noble man, so how can he work for Taiji? I can take care of the matters of picking up the companions and settling the people from the Ming Dynasty."
Chao Ketu didn't insist and said a few more words to He Zhuo. After He Zhuo responded to him, he turned to Ming Ren and said goodbye.
Mangui looked for an opportunity and whispered to Zheng Haizhu secretly: "Madam, why do I think that Prince of Outer Khalkha is somewhat attentive to Miss Hezhuo? But Miss Hezhuo clearly doesn't want to talk to her."
Zheng Haizhu said "Oh" and asked, "What did the two of them talk about last?"
"It seems that the prince invited He Zhuo to go hunting, and He Zhuo said she was going to listen to the master's lecture."
"That's good," Zheng Haizhu winked at Man Gui, "You, my love rival, are defeated without a fight. You have a chance."
Man Gui "coughed": "Why are you making fun of me again? I'm not thinking of the madam's instructions to eavesdrop on the Mongolians."
Zheng Haizhu pursed her lips: "Good eavesdropping, keep listening next time. When General Ma and I go to see Lin Danhan and Su Tai, you change into Mongolian robes and go around the city with Mr. Chang. You can open a wine shop in the royal city They must all be relatives of nobles and know a lot. You mainly want to ask about the strength of the Chahar tribes and their views on the two Usi-Zang sects. By the way, when you entered the customs when you were young, someone in your family believed in the Yellow Sect. No?"
Mangui shook his head: "My father told me, but he didn't give us food to eat. Why do I believe that?"
Zheng Haizhu said softly: "You must not show such disrespect. Instead, go and learn some Mongolian teachings and come back to teach me."
