Chapter 88 Manchu-Mongol Marriage Alliance

When the emperor ascended the throne, he said he would cancel the marriage alliance. The Mongol tribes were relatively calm. The Manchu-Mongol marriage alliance was a national policy. The Mongol tribes were also part of the Qing Dynasty. What did it have to do with the marriage alliance?

Moreover, the new emperor has just ascended the throne, and having recently subdued the Dzungars, he is full of martial prowess. They need to observe and wait, and not be in a hurry.

After waiting for three years, the talent show finally came, but not a single member of the Mongolian Army Banner was selected.

No, what happened to the promise of equal distribution of favors? Your Majesty, where did you put the Mongol army flag?

From the end of the selection process to the dispatch of the news, it took more than ten days. The various Mongol tribes gathered to discuss the matter, which took seven or eight days. They sent people with gifts under the guise of paying homage to inquire about the matter, which also took more than twenty days.

Two months have almost passed in this back and forth.

A small welcoming banquet was held at the Qianqing Palace for the Mongolian envoys.

After presenting his gifts and showering the banquet with compliments, the envoy, sensing the opportune moment, abruptly changed the subject, saying, "Your Majesty, the Mongol tribes are utterly loyal to the Qing Dynasty, serving diligently for many years in guarding the borders. The Manchu-Mongol intermarriage is an established national policy since the founding of the Qing Dynasty. This policy maintains the alliance between our Qing Dynasty and the Mongol tribes like a rock, not easily shaken..."

The banquet fell silent. The ministers who had come to the banquet all looked at the Mongol envoy with strange eyes. What a bold man! They hadn’t seen such a headstrong person in a long time.

Enjoy this last bit of revelry, everyone looked at him with pity.

The Mongol envoy felt extremely uncomfortable. What was wrong? Why were they looking at him like that? Was what he said unreasonable?

Doesn't the peace of the border depend on the Mongols? No emperor would be so ungrateful as to discard those who have served their purpose. Thinking of the Mongols' strength, the envoy straightened his chest and asked, neither servile nor arrogant, "Your Majesty, what do you think?"

"I think..."

Hongli smiled slightly. Hearing the commotion outside, he felt that the messenger was no longer needed.

"Prince Borjigit Lobzanggunbu of the Khorchin Heshuo Darhan pays his respects!"

Suddenly, a eunuch's voice came from outside the door. Amidst the surprised and curious gazes of everyone, Borjigit Lobsang Gunbu strode in, completely ignoring the Mongol envoy. He walked to the center of the hall and knelt down before Hongli with a thud.

"Lobzanggunbu, Borjigit of the Khorchin, greets His Majesty. May His Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"

"Your Highness, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The envoy was puzzled as to why Prince Darhan had come. Was he there to personally pressure the Emperor?

"Your Highness's arrival is timely. The Mongol envoy just mentioned the Manchu-Mongol marriage alliance. I wonder what Your Highness's opinion is?"

The envoy gave Lobsang Gunbu a trusting look, as if to say, "It's up to you, Prince. Go ahead and let the Emperor know the attitude of the Mongols!"

"Manchu-Mongol intermarriage is a national policy..."

Under the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, Lobsang Gunbu bowed to Hongli and said loudly, "However, life in Mongolia is inconvenient, and we fear that we may neglect the princess. Therefore, we wish to change course and send outstanding young men from our tribes to the capital to marry into the royal family and become the emperor's sons-in-law, in order to continue our friendship and to show our Mongolian loyalty to Your Majesty. We only hope that Your Majesty will grant our request."

What is that?!

The envoy felt as if there was something wrong with his ears. What was Prince Darhan saying? Was he not sending the princess to Mongolia? Was he going to have Mongolian men marry into the family instead?

No, that's not what we agreed on! Prince Darhan is drunk even before he's had a drink.

The envoy wanted to say something, but was intimidated by Lobsang Gunbu's stern gaze and dared not utter another word.

Hongli slightly raised the corners of his mouth and slowly said, "Since you have such intentions, I will consider it. However, the matter of marrying into the family is related to the face of the royal family and the etiquette, so it must be carefully planned and cannot be compromised."

Lobsang Gunbu, with a mixture of respect and gratitude, quickly replied, "Your Majesty is wise. We will certainly cooperate with all our might and dare not slacken in the slightest. We only hope to gain Your Majesty's favor, to ensure the peace of Mongolia, and to allow our people to have the honor of serving Your Majesty and receiving Your Majesty's grace."

The envoy's face twisted for a moment. "No, Your Highness, look at yourself! How much of your former self do you resemble? Where is your arrogance? Where is your insolence? Why are you being so obsequious?"

The Mongol envoy was puzzled, but the ministers at the banquet glanced thoughtfully at the seats of Prince Dun, Prince Xun, and Prince Guo, who were absent. These three princes had left before the imperial concubine selection, more than three months ago, hadn't they? Judging from Prince Darhan's demeanor, the battle must be going well?

Hongli glanced at the tense Lobsang Gunbu and waved his hand gently: "Please take a seat. I will make the decision."

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."

Lobsang Gonbu felt as if he had been granted a general amnesty, and with his envoy, he slowly withdrew.

"Your Highness..."

Back in his seat, the envoy hesitated, wanting to ask for clarification.

Lobsang Gunbu shook his head to stop him, sighed, and said in a tone that was tinged with dejection and heaviness, "I am merely going ahead. I believe you will soon find out why."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the eunuch's voice came from outside the door announcing his arrival.

"Prince Dun, Prince Xun, and Prince Guo are here to pay their respects!"

Three men, clad in armor, strode forward with imposing strides. Their armor, stained with blood, was, by all accounts, disrespectful. Yet, the Qing courtiers held their breath, watching them with anticipation.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

"Please rise, my three imperial uncles." Hongli stood up and looked at them with a smile.

"Your Majesty, we have fulfilled our mission and successfully quelled the unrest in the southern border regions and Tibet. From now on, there will be no more turmoil on the borders of the Great Qing!"

Yun led the way, speaking with unwavering confidence and boldness.

Hongli laughed: "Good! Fortunately, I have three imperial uncles who, with their loyalty and courage, have relieved me of a great worry. This merit should be recorded in history and spread throughout the world."

Looking at Hongli's smiling face, Yunli replied loudly, "Your Majesty is virtuous. We are merely following Your Majesty's orders to defend the country and ensure its peace. Now that the borders are pacified, we are willing to continue to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty and dedication, ensuring the eternal prosperity of our Great Qing Dynasty."

Yunzhen echoed, "Your Majesty's virtuous rule will ensure the eternal prosperity of our Great Qing!"

Upon hearing this good news, the excited officials also stood up and cheered loudly: "Your Majesty's virtuous rule will ensure the eternal prosperity of our Great Qing Dynasty!"

Hongli raised his wine cup and looked at everyone: "To celebrate today's victory, to celebrate the future of the Qing Dynasty, I drink with you all!"

The three men took their seats, raised their cups, and drank with Hongli. The banquet reached its climax, filled with laughter and joy as the emperor and his ministers reveled. It was as if the glory of the golden age was magnified infinitely at this moment, enveloping the entire palace.

Of course, this excludes the restless Mongol envoys.

He looked at Lobsang Gunbu with a dazed expression, "Your Highness?"

Lobsang Gunbu nodded heavily. Otherwise, why would he have rushed here so quickly? "Both the Khoja brothers are gone."

Thinking of the Qing Dynasty's earth-shattering cannons, Lobsang Gonbu couldn't help but shudder. The glory of Mongolia had come to an end. For the future of Mongolia, the only option was to let the sons perish.