A rebellion broke out in Yunnan and Guizhou, which was something the Ming Dynasty could not tolerate and had to suppress.

Since war was inevitable, the emperor's opinion was naturally paramount. Once the emperor decided to send troops, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Works would obviously be involved. The Five Military Commissions, needless to say, were also involved; their very existence underscored their value.

Many court officials were surprised, as such a small-scale rebellion would normally be easily suppressed by local garrisons. If they really wanted to escalate it further, they could simply transfer one or two regional princes from nearby areas, which would be sufficient.

But the court's current actions are almost tantamount to launching a war of annihilation; the Ming Dynasty is now terrifyingly powerful.

Old Zhu naturally took this matter very seriously, even though he seemed to have only slightly taken the lead. However, he couldn't simply pretend nothing had happened; after all, this was a large-scale conflict.

Zhu Xiong Ying didn't seem to have much intention of interfering. He simply clarified some of his strategic requirements, roughly defined the scope of the war, and determined the quantity of food, troop numbers, and so on.

Zhu Xiong Ying didn't intend to interfere in the specific marching routes, the deployment of generals, or how to launch the battle. Ultimately, he believed in the expertise of the Ming generals.

With the battle-hardened Lan Yu as commander, and assisted by Xu Yungong, Mu Chun, and others, the Ming Dynasty possessed a formidable and elite army. Such a force would face virtually no challenge in suppressing barbarian rebellions. The court's task was not merely to win; it was to find opportunities to achieve its strategic objectives within this war.

This is the attitude Zhu Xiong Ying should have. Zhu Xiong Ying is showing great patience, and at this moment he is also showing a willingness to accept advice.

Of course, he also had his own opinions. Perhaps because Zhu Xiong Ying was a person with a strong desire for control, he wanted to hear clear answers and see some plans.

Even knowing that things on the battlefield can change in an instant and that it's impossible for everything to go exactly as planned, the initial general plan, marching routes, and so on can still be prepared in advance and controlled.

Lan Yu was a somewhat unreliable figure in the court, but now, when it came to leading troops, he appeared radiant and utterly confident. At this moment, Lan Yu was no longer the somewhat untrustworthy Duke of Liang, but a completely reliable general, the Grand General of the court!

Old Zhu felt that some of Lan Yu's plans were quite reliable and reassuring, so he could confidently let Lan Yu lead the army to quell the rebellion.

After the court officials had all left, Zhu Yuanzhang asked with a smile, "You told me before that you wanted to divide the Mongol Yuan into different parts. What exactly were you thinking?"

Zhu Xiong Ying laughed and said to Old Zhu, "When Qi Zhe Sun rebelled before, Lan Yu pursued him to Handong. I am thinking of establishing Hami Guard, Handong Guard, Anding Guard, Quxian Guard, and Along Guard. In this way, our Great Ming can form an encirclement of Hami. Naturally, we can subdue the barbarians and our military might will reach the Western Regions."

Old Zhu nodded in satisfaction, then said to Zhu Xiong Ying, "I think you don't just want to intimidate the barbarians, or just want to conquer the Western Regions in the future. I think you also want to win over Yilibali and make them fight amongst themselves."

"I still can't escape my grandfather's eyes. My little schemes are too obvious." Zhu Xiong Ying was not embarrassed and said to his grandfather with a smile, "I think Yili is the most suitable place to be won over now. Let them fight amongst themselves. I can help them."

Yilibali was actually the Eastern Chagatai Khanate, but after the death of Tughluq Timur Khan, the khanate fell into chaos and split. It was a vast khanate that encompassed many ethnic tribes, stretching from Hami in the east to Samarkand in the west, from the Oirat in the north to Khotan in the south.

Moreover, the Eastern Chagatai Khanate was currently in a state of turmoil due to the rebellion of Imi Kemal al-Din, which led to the Khan's power falling into the hands of Imi of the Dughlat tribe. This internal instability also attracted the covetousness of powerful neighboring states. Timur, a member of the Mongol Barlas family, seized the opportunity to rally his former followers and rise up against the rule of the Chagatai Khan's descendants.

The youngest son of Tughluq Timur Khan, Heidorhuzha, who escaped the ambush, was proclaimed Khan by his followers on the grasslands.

Shortly after ascending the throne, this Khan, Khoja, dispatched envoys, including Hamali al-Din, to the Ming Dynasty to present tribute horses and local products, thus initiating contact and communication with the central government. Due to military pressure from the western Timurid dynasty, he was also forced to marry his daughter to Timur and prepare provisions for the Timurid dynasty's eastern campaigns.

“The current Black Khan is weak, but he is still a descendant of the Mongol Golden Family and has some influence,” Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile. “If we give him some support, the Oirats will not have an easy time. Timur and the Tatars can also be restrained. They are all vying for power right now.”

The Black Khan here possesses a strong sense of righteousness and is of the Golden Family lineage. Meanwhile, the Tatars are also embroiled in internal strife, with descendants of the Golden Family vying for the Khanate and seeking to regain their rule.

Old Zhu was a little worried and said to Zhu Xiong Ying, "We are currently in the Western Regions and do not have many troops. It will be quite difficult to conquer the Western Regions. That is a major battle, not something that can be done overnight."

"So I hope that the Black Fireman will become strong and be granted the title of Khan." Zhu Xiong Ying said matter-of-factly, "He already pays tribute to the court with horses, so I will be generous and give him tea, iron pots, and even weapons."

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