If we could cause internal strife within the Later Jin for the throne, or prevent Huang Taiji from succeeding to the throne, wouldn't it be more likely that we would be able to pacify the Liao?
Of course, Luo Sigong didn't know all this. He wanted to get rid of the Fan family cleanly and efficiently and cut off the intelligence lines of the Later Jin.
"Let's not act for now." Zhu Youxiao thought it through and said slowly, "If this line is broken, the Jiannu will send more people, and it will be difficult to control them again. We must make good use of Fan Dafu. He may have unexpected results at a critical moment."
After a pause, Zhu Youxiao continued, "Of course, it's not enough to just grasp it. We also need to control it to prevent them from actually obtaining any important intelligence."
Luo Sigong groaned in his heart. He couldn't be caught, and he couldn't let the Jiannu get important information. This was really not an easy thing to do!
"I obey your order." Luo Sigong groaned in his heart, but could not show it on his face. He bowed and accepted the order.
Zhu Youxiao felt good. If he was given a feather fan, he would think of himself as Zhuge Liang.
"By the way, what about those captured Zhenyi?" Zhu Youxiao asked, "Are there any who are afraid of death? Are there any who are crying and shouting to surrender to the Ming Dynasty?"
Luo Sigong wanted to laugh, but he held it back. He coughed dryly and reported, "Your Majesty, there are those who are afraid of death, but I find Zhenyi so fickle and untrustworthy."
Zhu Youxiao was amused and said, "Then let's kill a group first and lock up the ones who are afraid of death. They might be useful later."
Historically, the Later Jin was not a monolithic entity, and those who suffered from famine and starvation also fled to Dongjiang Town to surrender. Therefore, in history, Mao Wenlong had a small army of surrendered barbarians under his command.
The Jurchens who surrendered due to hunger were still a minority. If they suffered repeated defeats, were besieged and blockaded more severely, or faced a bleak future, would more people surrender?
"And that Yang Jie." The emperor finally remembered and asked, "Did he go to Lüda to take charge of intelligence affairs?"
Luo Sigong quickly replied, "Your Majesty, Yang Jie arrived in Luda years ago and should be carrying out his work now."
Zhu Youxiao felt a little relieved and ordered, "Tell Yang Jie that if there are any Han officials or generals in the Eastern Tartars who wish to surrender, report it immediately. I can still tell whether they are true or false."
Really? You're sitting in the palace, and you can tell the difference between true surrender and false submission?
Luo Sigong didn't believe it, but did you dare to expose the emperor's bragging?
Seeing Luo Sigong's promise, Zhu Youxiao knew that no one would believe him. But he did know that there was one guy who really surrendered, but because the Ming Dynasty was suspicious of this and that, he missed the opportunity.
You haven’t read the book written by Giant Panda, so you don’t know Liu Xingzuo, right?
I have sent people to inquire about it. This guy is called Liu Aita. He is now in charge of Jinzhou, Fuzhou, Haizhou, Gaizhou and the four southern guards. He is a famous Han official in the Later Jin Dynasty.
Who could have imagined that Liu Aita, who was highly regarded by the old slave and could even be considered a benefactor, would still have a conscience and a strong sense of national justice, and would abandon his mother and wife and be determined to return to the Ming Dynasty?
If Liu Aita could be captured and surrendered, it would not only deal a heavy psychological blow to the old slave, causing him to become more suspicious and making the Han officials and generals of the Later Jin Dynasty panic-stricken, but it would also be a good opportunity to recapture the four guards of southern Liaoning in one fell swoop.
To be precise, they are the three guards in southern Liaoning, Jin, Fu and Gaizhou.
If Haizhou can be recovered, it would be a great achievement. Forcing Liaochen in the north and linking up with Liaozhen in the west, the two major military groups of Dongjiang and Liaozhen will be united, which is equivalent to announcing the final counterattack to pacify Liao.
With just the Jiannu's small population, without the Eight Banners of Mongolia and the Eight Banners of Han, it could at best be a separatist force. How could it have swept across the country and destroyed the Ming Dynasty?
Therefore, disintegration is a venomous scheme that will only destroy the foundation of the system. If Han officials, generals, and soldiers are not valued and respected, how can the Later Jin Dynasty grow stronger?
Liu Aita's status and position in the Later Jin Dynasty made her a very suitable catalyst to anger the old slave and stir up his suspicions.
Now, Zhu Youxiao could not tell Luo Sigong all the information, nor could he explain it clearly, but he could make arrangements in advance.
Liu Aita's attempt to return to the Ming Dynasty failed because he did not gain trust and because he delayed for too long, which led to his being discovered and reported, thus failing at the last moment.
Since he already knew these things, Zhu Youxiao could naturally avoid them, prepare troops in advance, and act as quickly as possible.
Luo Sigong's report made Zhu Youxiao feel relieved.
As long as Liu Aita sends someone to contact for surrender, there will be no need for others to suspect, study or judge, and he can directly report it to Zhu Youxiao, who will make the decision.
As for Fan Yongdou, who had secret dealings with the Jiannu, Zhu Youxiao decided to reveal his intentions to Luo Sigong and ask him to help with the planning, which would definitely be more deceptive and easier to succeed.
"Keep the connection between Fan Yongdou and the Jiannu, I have some information I want to reveal." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and ordered the palace servants to bring a cup of tea to Luo Sigong. This was already an extraordinary favor.
Luo Sigong hurriedly stood up to thank the emperor, sat down again, took a sip, and then listened attentively to the emperor's instructions.
Zhu Youxiao took advantage of this brief moment to gather his thoughts and words, saying, "I am going to die soon, in just three to five years. I have many sons, and no heir has been appointed. A struggle for the throne is inevitable."
Luo Sigong felt that the emperor was taking things for granted. This old servant was old, but he could still ride a horse and fight, and he was very strong. How could he be dying soon?
Well, don't argue with the emperor. He hasn't set a specific date for death anyway. Who knows what will happen in three or five years? Who knows? Maybe tomorrow I'll fall off my horse and die!
"Spread the word, let the Jiannu know that I admire my eighth son, Huang Taiji. This is because his mother is Yehenara, and because Huang Taiji admires Han culture and loves reading. However, I and my sons are all cruel and brutal, and illiterate."
"Huang Taiji is well-educated and well-mannered. If he inherits the Khanate—"
Zhu Youxiao's mouth curled up, revealing a hint of intriguing sneer, and finally said: "I might negotiate for peace, emulating the Tang Dynasty's example, appointing foreign kings and foreign generals, so that the Later Jin will serve as a barrier for the Ming Dynasty for generations, and defend the border for a long time."
Luo Sigong listened carefully. Although the emperor's words would certainly cause a huge uproar if they were spread out, it didn't matter to him.
Let the Jiannu know that Huang Taiji was a cultured Eastern Tartar, different from the bloodthirsty and brutal old slaves, and was highly valued by Emperor Ming.
If the old slave died and Huang Taiji continued to be the Khan, the Ming Dynasty and the Later Jin could make peace, and the Later Jin could almost split off from Liaodong and become a vassal of the Ming Dynasty.
Luo Sigong understood that the emperor was trying to trick Huang Taiji. Although according to his intelligence, Huang Taiji was not very prominent among the Jiannu Beile and was not the most powerful, the emperor seemed to be furious when he saw him!
If the emperor is unhappy with you, then what else can you say? Just do the job neatly and beautifully to satisfy the emperor.
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