Chapter 70 Return to Beijing
Zhu Zhanji's border patrol this time lasted about a month and a half from the time he prepared to the time he returned to the palace. Compared with the border patrol in the third year of Xuande when he defeated the enemy, it was much calmer.
Although they did not bring back a large number of prisoners and spoils of war this time, they did bring back a number of Alutai's remnants, led by Alutai's son Abji'an. Although Zhu Zhanji hated Alutai deeply, he was kind to Alutai's now impoverished son. Not only did he appoint Abji'an as the Left Commander-in-Chief of the Central Military Commandery, he also gave Abji'an a house and other belongings. Such treatment could be considered a close relationship.
Compared to these, Zhu Yuhuan was more concerned about his own master. After Liu Yongcheng returned to Beijing and rested for a few days, he arranged to meet him at a teahouse. Seeing that Liu Yongcheng was still in good health, Zhu Yuhuan was relieved.
Liu Yongcheng was ordered to lead his troops to follow the border patrol army, so he had witnessed the scene of Alutai's people surrendering to the Ming Dynasty. After the master and disciple met at Taiping Teahouse, Liu Yongcheng vividly recounted how Abji'an and others surrendered to Zhu Zhanji. Zhu Yuhuan listened with great interest, and only regretted that he didn't have a handful of sunflower seeds and peanuts at that time.
Liu Yongcheng sighed with emotion and said, "After all, Alutai was once a thorn in the side of Emperor Taizong. Now that Alutai is dead and his son has returned to the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Taizong would surely be very pleased if he knew about this."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "Father is also very happy. I heard that before he even returned to the capital, he couldn't wait to send his great-uncle Xianning to offer sacrifices at Changling and Xianling. He must have wanted Great-uncle and the Emperor to know this good news as soon as possible."
"Your Majesty always bears in mind the regrets of the Emperor Taizong."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and changed the subject, "I wonder how Shi Heng performed?"
When Liu Yongcheng heard that she still remembered Shi Heng, he smiled and said, "It must be his fate that the princess still remembers him."
Zhu Yuhuan certainly wouldn't say this person would be of much use in the future. He simply smiled and said, "People in the world prioritize morality and disdain to compete for fame and fortune. But in my opinion, those who do chase fame and fortune may not be useless. It depends on whether they have real talent and knowledge, and even more importantly, whether they can be used by the hands. If they are truly talented, someone will naturally hone them into a handy weapon."
Seeing her so confident, Liu Yongcheng smiled and said, "Don't worry, Princess. Shi Heng was still a bit young a few years ago, and although he was sometimes reckless, he has made great progress in the past few years under my command. He has become more calm and composed, and he knows how to promote some of his soldiers who are useful. This is consistent with what Your Highness just said. When the Oirat invaded the border, I reported Shi Heng's merits, and he has been promoted to the position of deputy commander of the garrison, the same rank as his uncle."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled slightly and said, "That's very good."
Liu Yongcheng also said, "Shi Heng understands that it was His Highness who asked me to take good care of him, and I am grateful for His Highness's kindness."
Zhu Yuhuan simply smiled and said, "Whether this gratitude is genuine or not is only known to him. Only when he is of use can we tell how sincere and false his words are." She didn't dwell on it, but simply asked curiously, "Alutai's son surrendered and must have shared a lot of information about Mongolia. Master, do you know anything about it? I'd like to hear it too."
Liu Yongcheng naturally did not hide anything from her and said, "Of course there is. Abu only told me that Toghan of the Oirat supported Toghtobuha as the Great Khan of the Western Khanate and appointed himself the Grand Tutor. He wanted to unite his various tribes and fight against Adai, the Great Khan of the Eastern Khanate of Arutai. This was also considered to be inheriting the cause of his father, Mahamu."
Zhu Yuhuan blinked and said, "So his father is Mahamu?"
At this time, there was very little news from the border, not to mention that the Mongols were grazing everywhere. The few ways they had to "say hello" to the Ming Dynasty were to rob. The Ming Dynasty could only rely on the gossip from these scattered escaped Mongolian tribes to understand the internal situation of the Oirat.
Not to mention Zhu Yuhuan, even Zhu Zhanji, who was the emperor and had access to high-level intelligence, did not have a very thorough understanding of the internal situation of the Oirat.
Liu Yongcheng nodded slightly and continued, "Ever since Alutai was severely defeated by us in the sixth year of Xuande, he has been fleeing westward, intending to plunder the western border to recuperate before a decisive battle with the Oirat. Unexpectedly, they were discovered by the Oirat, and Alutai was killed, and his people were scattered. They managed to escape south and surrender at the border. We don't know Adai's whereabouts, and he might have been killed by the Oirat."
Zhu Yuhuan pondered for a moment and said, "So, Tuohuan has unified the Eastern and Western Khanates?"
"Not entirely," Liu Yongcheng explained. "Although the Wuliangha are much more stable than before, they are not truly subservient to the Ming. They are bound to fluctuate between the Ming and the Oirat, and they can also play a role in containing them."
"The Wuliangha are begging for tribute and trade, isn't it because they are weak? If that's the case, how can we expect them to have the energy to contain the Oirat?" Zhu Yuhuan frowned slightly, then suddenly thought of something and asked, "I've heard Master Sai mention before that these Tatars also place great importance on bloodlines. Logically, Toghan is the leader of the Oirat, but he can only hold the position of Grand Tutor. I guess their relationship isn't harmonious."
Liu Yongcheng understood her implication and said, "If we can sow discord between these two and support Adai and Tuohuan in opposing them, it might be a good way to contain the Wala."
Zhu Yuhuan nodded, and couldn't help but ask curiously: "Master, do you know Yesen?"
Zhu Yuhuan didn't know much about Yesen. If he hadn't captured the emperor, which directly led to the Battle of Tumu, one of the major events of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuhuan probably wouldn't even have heard of this name.
"Yesen?" Liu Yongcheng was slightly taken aback. "Tartar names often repeat themselves, or they're long strings. I really don't know who Yesen is... Perhaps Abu knows a thing or two. If I have the chance someday, I'll ask for Your Highness."
Zhu Yuhuan nodded in understanding.
She remembered that Yesen also called himself Grand Tutor. According to the hereditary system, he should have some relationship with Tuohuan...
After all, they met again after a long separation. After finishing their serious conversation, Zhu Yuhuan and his master talked about the recent events in the capital. When he mentioned Zhu Zhanji's tailoring and changing horses, Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help asking, "In your opinion, Master, how is the emperor's health?"
Liu Yongcheng had been with Zhu Zhanji for half a month, meeting His Majesty daily, and indeed hadn't noticed anything unusual. However, Zhu Yuhuan's question naturally had her own interpretations. Liu Yongcheng tentatively asked, "Your Highness is suggesting... that the Emperor is feeling unwell, and that's why he summoned me back to the capital?"
Zhu Yuhuan nodded slightly, "Now that Master has taken on the duties of the Imperial Horse Supervisor, it is best to be cautious and prudent."
Liu Yongcheng saluted and said, "Your Highness, I will remember your instructions."
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