Chapter 63: The Formal Campaign Against the Northern Barbarians
Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Laqi presented the surrender document with both hands.
He dared not look up at the emperor's true face.
Before entering the palace for an audience, he was taught palace etiquette by an official from the Court of State Ceremonial. This official once said with no small amount of pride, "Your Majesty's majesty is at its peak in a hundred years; no one dares to look directly at you."
Lazi was slightly nervous.
He also heard another arrogant man beside the official sneer, responding in a strange tone: "His Majesty's majesty is not only supreme. Those disobedient noble families were wiped out overnight, let alone your tribes?"
So Razi changed the image of this emperor in his mind to that of a ferocious beast with a blue face and fangs.
Because of this little incident, Raqi lowered his head and heard his own heart pounding.
Before long, a pair of bright yellow boots appeared in front of him.
Layers of robes cascaded down in front of him. The Ning Dynasty emperor stopped in front of him, and when he pulled Qi's hand, it felt light. It turned out that the emperor himself had raised his hand to take the surrender document.
Lazi was somewhat taken aback, as this was not quite in line with the etiquette training he had received.
Before he could even react in surprise, the emperor's youthful voice rang out, tinged with a faint smile: "I have received your sincerity. I am very pleased that you have recognized the situation and submitted to the court."
Lazi immediately bowed his head and said respectfully, "Your Majesty's virtue and power have spread far and wide, and all directions are devoted to you. Our tribe has long admired the Celestial Dynasty and is willing to serve Your Majesty in guarding the borders and submit to you forever."
After saying that, he slightly raised his eyelids.
Unexpectedly, the emperor before him was dressed in a bright yellow robe, which was quite different from the ferocious beast image he had imagined.
What do you mean by "blue-faced, fanged, ferocious demon"?
It was clearly a kind face, with handsome and spirited features, but a hint of sharpness would appear only when he slightly narrowed his eyes to scrutinize others.
Inside the spacious and majestic Hall of Supreme Harmony, the emperor's gaze, though lofty and imposing, was not overly cold; when he looked down, he was indeed awe-inspiring.
Holding the letter of surrender in one hand, the emperor asked with great interest, "Did you know that the Northern Barbarian envoy arrived even faster than you?"
Razi felt a tightness in his chest. He knew nothing about this, and hurriedly asked in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, the Northern Barbarians are still plotting against us; their intentions are surely not good?"
The emperor chuckled lightly: "You have a deep understanding of the Northern Barbarians."
Razi certainly knew. He still felt pain thinking about how much suffering he had endured under the Western Khan.
"I will bestow upon you a house in the capital. You may move in tomorrow." The emperor smiled at him, and said to the pitiful Shiwei chieftain, "I have my own arrangements for this matter."
Lazi almost squinted when he saw his smile.
The Emperor Ning's smile was so gentle, coupled with his strong confidence, that he was still in a daze when he got up to take his leave.
As he stumbled out of the palace gate, he was still thinking: Why did these despicable Ning Dynasty officials have to plant such a wrong image in his mind?
Was he being deliberately misled?
Regardless of whether the poor Shiwei tribe was truly misled... in any case, for a long time, Laqi seemed to think that Emperor Zhongzong was a gentle emperor, the kind who truly cared for all.
What family annihilation tragedy? He knew nothing about it; he'd never heard of it before.
Xiao Jianhe felt there was no major problem.
When Zhou She helped him out of the predicament, he felt that Zhou She was simply a god descended from heaven. Although they were not familiar with each other before, it was clear that Zhou She was indeed a good person.
Fang Jingruo also felt there was no problem: when his future wise ruler extended a helping hand to him, he also felt that it was a favor ordained by heaven.
Zhuang Shi also thought this was normal. Although Zhou She was unreliable most of the time, the moment he appeared in the prison, heaven knows how much he wanted to hang on Zhou She's trouser leg and leave.
Lazi's inexplicable loyalty to Zhongzong was probably thanks in large part to the Northern Di. The unfortunate Western Khan was busy with internal strife when he suddenly discovered that his home had been stolen: his slaves had seized his territory, given it to the Ning Dynasty across the border, and even fled with their families. What a disgrace this must have been!
Even if he couldn't steam buns, he still had to save face. He immediately sent envoys to demand that Emperor Zhongzong return his slaves, and even offered to exchange Meigang in the territory of the Eastern Khan for them, along with Xuegang, which was previously given to Ningchao.
Although exchanging territory under the Eastern Khan's name for someone might sound absurd, he was serious. At the time, he was locked in a fierce battle with the Eastern Khan, and if necessary, he could immediately resort to robbery.
Emperor Hong'an's veins bulged as he listened.
It wasn't that he cared so much about how the Northern Di people died, but rather that the scene reminded him of his own good-for-nothing (useless) sons.
Aren't these sons also fighting amongst themselves? It's just that the Northern Di openly wage war against each other, while their own sons secretly resort to underhanded tactics, not even sparing a one-year-old child.
Ren Heng rolled his eyes: "What shame? Once we enter our Ning Dynasty, how can there be any Northern Barbarians?"
As the Minister of War, the Vice Minister of War, based on his status and position, expressed his strong agreement with his superior's remarks: "What you say is absolutely right, sir."
Beside him, a military officer sneered repeatedly: "We want Meigang, and we want them to give it to us? It's as if we wouldn't steal it."
Ren Heng: "..." Well, you can't say it like that...
The meat is served, what's wrong with taking a bite? It's delicious even with just one bite!
Emperor Zhongzong, of course, chose to refuse. It's obvious to anyone with a brain that if he agreed to the Northern Barbarians' offer, where would the prestige of the Ning Dynasty be? Where would the confidence of the vassal states be?
He immediately refused, and not only refused, but also sternly warned the Northern Barbarians: I don't know who the slave you are talking about is, but I will absolutely not agree to your proposal. Please do not interfere in my internal affairs.
Then he changed the subject and asked: "You said you'd exchange Mei Gang for him. Although I can't give him to you, if you give me Mei Gang, I won't hit you anymore. What do you think of this deal?"
This time, the Western Khan wasn't enraged. He tore up the reply and blocked all of Zhongzong's contact methods, demonstrating his rejection through his actions.
Everyone was slightly disappointed.
This territory has been delivered right to our doorstep...
But they quickly rallied. It's okay, we can just take it ourselves!
Our Great Ning Dynasty's main strategy is to fight to the bitter end; we'll seize it sooner or later.
Ren Heng clicked his tongue and said, "How can this person be so stingy?"
All you're asking for is to surrender some cities? You're just saying a few words; you're not as magnanimous as our Ning Dynasty's emperor.
This incident shook the resolve of many smaller tribes, who all wanted to surrender. However, the Eastern and Western Khans had learned their lesson this time and kept a close watch on them. Trying to escape? No way.
In April of the third year of Jinghua, the army's provisions were fully prepared and logistics were properly arranged. At this time, the political situation in Ningchao and Beidi had completely reversed.
Back then, the Ning Dynasty was in turmoil, with warlords vying for power. Taking advantage of this situation, the Northern Di people, with their treacherous intentions, continued to attempt to invade the south.
Now, after two years, the political situation in the Ning Dynasty has gradually stabilized. With a wealth of capable ministers, the dynasty is a constellation of brilliant minds. Through the combined efforts of the emperor and his officials, the Ning Dynasty has been able to recuperate and rebuild, and the great storm that swept through the north only managed to ravage the unfortunate and foolish Northern Di tribes. Coupled with the tireless planning of Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Cheng, they have finally obtained their best opportunity.
Ren Heng was already impatient, his eyes shining, waiting for Tianmu to say those words.
The foreign enemy that had plagued the Central Plains dynasties for a century was finally about to submit.
His heart was surging with emotion. Looking around at the people around him, the once arrogant and domineering civil officials were now all breathing heavily, just maintaining their last semblance of composure.
Just then, a letter pleading for help fell into the hands of Emperor Zhongzong. The letter came from a small tribe that wanted to submit to the Ning Dynasty, but was unable to break free from the control of the Northern Di, and therefore hoped that Emperor Zhongzong would send troops to their aid.
Emperor Zhongzong was overjoyed upon reading the letter, and after his ministers circulated it, they all remarked: "It's like a pillow coming just when I was about to go to sleep."
Although they didn't care much about moral high ground, why not do something that would make them appear more righteous? Emperor Zhongzong immediately raised the banner and decided to lead an expedition to completely eliminate this major threat to the north that year.
The Third Prince no longer wanted to listen; Tianmu was only talking about things he believed he could do himself.
Heading north to launch a campaign? With so many powerful men under my command, it sounds like it's some kind of difficult task.
If he had that status, conquering the Northern Barbarians would be as easy as turning his hand.
The Third Prince had completely forgotten his grandfather's numerous failed northern expeditions. He picked up the stacks of Xuan paper beside him and read them word by word, recalling how his father viewed Zhou She—a stark contrast to how he had always looked at him.
When Tianmu first called Emperor Zhongzong a tyrant, he felt his father was at least 80% inclined to kill. But after hearing this, could he still be 30% convinced?
When Zhou She was first captured, he advised his father to execute him. They didn't act then, so can they still kill him now?
Father, oh Father...
The Third Prince picked up the brush, wielding it with force, and thought indifferently: If you can't bring yourself to do it, let me help you.
Zhou She was surrounded by the generals of Mingyuan Pass. He tried several times to leave and go back to change his clothes, but was stopped by the enthusiastic crowd.
"Ruochuan, you still need to take care of your health. How can you be so careless with yourself?" This was the earnest advice of the deputy general, whose face turned into a worried mess as soon as he heard the words "the emperor is personally leading the expedition."
"What do you know? If I am fortunate enough to join the Northern Expedition, I will definitely be a vanguard!" This is the most combative guerrilla general.
"Is Ruochuan's archery really that good?" another person asked with a smile. "General Su's archery skills are so good that he can hit a willow leaf from a hundred paces away. He can be called a divine archer in the army!"
Su Tianzong remained silent. He hadn't counted carefully, but this nobleman's son, who didn't look particularly tall or imposing, always managed to kill someone every time he fired an arrow.
What he found even more amazing was that Zhou Ruochuan showed absolutely no resistance to killing.
Zhou She, after being egged on by the group, reluctantly took the bow and arrows that Zhuang Ziqian had kindly provided.
After the bloody battle late at night, his aura completely shifted; his posture was upright, exuding a sharp edge. The laughter of the crowd gradually faded, leaving only the sound of a gentle breeze ruffling their clothes.
He stood solemnly, gazing into the distance, where several Northern Di cavalrymen were spying on him.
Zhou She drew his bow and aimed. A few breaths later, he released it steadily, the bowstring vibrated, and the arrow flew off the string in an instant.
Zhuang Ziqian had this bow specially made by a craftsman, giving it a greater range. The arrow pierced the air and, before anyone could follow, accurately shot a sentry off his horse.
"Good!!" Upon seeing this, the generals were overjoyed and cheered in unison.
Cheng Zhuoran was the first to applaud: "Your archery skills are indeed exquisite, Ruochuan. I really regret not having met you a few years earlier."
Zhuang Ziqian said bluntly, "You came here a few years ago too."
He thought to himself that if this sky curtain didn't appear, it would be time for him and Zhou Ruochuan to be together in a few years.
Zhou She smiled and said, "It's not too late now."
Although the sky curtain disrupted many things, it's hard to say whether it was a good thing or a bad thing for him.
He can actually learn a lot from looking at the sky.
Emperor Zhongzong entrusted domestic affairs to the Empress and ordered Huaizi to defend the capital.
As for the comments that he was "too powerful to personally face danger"—mainly because the princes were too young and obviously not up to the task—he simply ignored them and said, "If anything happens to me, the Empress can take charge of the government."
In May of the third year of the Jinghua reign (1464), Emperor Zhongzong himself served as the commander-in-chief, with Zhuang Shi as his deputy, leading a total army of 150,000 men to formally launch a campaign against the Northern Di. In June of the same year, the Eastern Khan of the Northern Di was brutally murdered. Seeing the approaching Ningchao army and realizing the dire situation, the Western Khan of the Northern Di chose to gather his forces and attempt a breakout towards Dingyuan Pass in Ganzhou.
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