The time grew increasingly imminent, and Zhu Mo once again reviewed his strategy—
To intercept Anda's main force at Desheng Fort, seize an opportunity to showcase the might of the arquebusiers, and simultaneously extort the enemy, making them believe his strength was sufficient to conquer the north.
This was the factor of power.
Then, under the framework of a "package treaty," negotiations would commence.
The key points were, firstly, to exploit the Tartars' scarcity of resources by proposing permanent border trade and lifting the ban on ironware. Secondly, acknowledging the dire reality faced by nomadic societies at this period, he proposed cooperation in advancing the "Bansheng Plan." He consistently felt this plan would most effectively capture Anda's interest.
It should be known that,
In the mid-to-late Great Ming Dynasty, Han Chinese immigrants had already begun entering the grasslands, establishing settlements known as "Bansheng." Anda's Tumuchuan was, in fact, the largest such settlement initially. It was precisely because Anda recognized the power of integrating two economic systems that his ambitions grew, believing he possessed the advantages of the former Liao and Jin dynasties.
This exchange of ideas was incredibly powerful, attracting many Han adventurers like Prince Rao Yang, Zhao Quan, Qiu Fu, and Xiao Qin. They proposed the concept of "Great Yuan Golden State" in their rebellion against the Ming. While Anda yearned for this, he understood that with the Silk Road in decline, the grasslands were in an unprecedentedly weak state. His willingness to cooperate with these Ming traitors was to achieve strategic extortion and gain greater benefits.
Regarding this, throughout the Great Ming, Zhu Mo understood, Zhang Juzheng understood, and Li Wenjin, Wang Chonggu, and others in the border regions also understood. However, the Ming court had developed an extremely intense sentiment of hatred, which led to the long-term unresolved Ming-Tartar issue.
Zhu Mo's Bansheng Plan, based on detailed data analysis provided by the system, was highly scientific and rational, almost a culmination of China's northern strategies over millennia.
On this, he was quite confident—
At its fundamental level, this plan was a "non-aggression treaty." Through the deterrence of firearms, Anda would understand that the era of border incursions was over. This was a red line, a bottom line; crossing it would result in a devastating blow. This would form the cornerstone of peace.
With a solid foundation, there would be the "Bansheng Experimental Zone."
The scale of Bansheng settlements would be expanded tenfold, encompassing the entire border region between the two sides. Any area with suitable geographical conditions could be pre-planned. The objective was to extend the economic reach of the Great Ming deep into Tartar territory through more Han settlers, while also protecting existing Han settlers.
According to the system's estimations, there were currently about 300,000 Han settlers, with each settlement averaging around 100,000 people. In the next five to ten years, this would increase to 2 million settlers, with Bansheng expanding to 15-20 locations.
The Bansheng Experimental Zone would also attract nomads to transition into settled or semi-settled lifestyles. Therefore, the population of each Bansheng would increase by about 50,000, reaching 150,000—the standard for a county in the Great Ming. The economic ecosystem would also be rich, with agriculture and animal husbandry complemented by handicraft industries, meat processing, dairy products, and leather goods, forming a symbiotic relationship with the Ming.
In this way, the border zone would become a zone of peace. It should be realized that any person, regardless of background, dislikes war. Han Chinese are no different from Tartars. If everyone stands to benefit and lives in stability, the first step towards lasting peace will have been taken.
On top of this, Zhu Mo had a long-term vision: to establish a legal system within the Bansheng Experimental Zone that both sides would jointly adhere to.
This approach,
Could later be extended to the Mongolian regions of the west and north, and the Jurchen tribes of Liaodong, truly resolving the border issues that China had faced for millennia.
However, Zhu Mo was no armchair strategist lost in fantasy; he naturally considered more realistic factors—opposition from within the Great Ming.
It should be known that,
Engaging in diplomacy with the Rong (nomadic peoples) has always carried significant risks. At best, one faces slander, like Wei Jiang during the Spring and Autumn period. At worst, one could be suspected by the emperor and subjected to torture, like Yuan Chonghuan later.
Therefore,
Great care must be taken in this endeavor of appeasing the Rong. The sentiments within the Great Ming must be considered, especially the Bansheng Plan, which was likely to face opposition, even from Jiajing himself. This would require very artful rhetoric to conceal. The attacks from the Yan faction must be met with a resolute stance on the principles of diplomacy, crushing them decisively.
Fortunately,
He found some solace—
This time was different from the situation in Jiangnan. Then, he was alone. Now, he was no longer alone; he had the strong support of the populace behind him and the upright officials he could leverage. As long as his actions were not excessive and yielded results, Jiajing would naturally not object, as he had always disliked military conflict.
...
At this moment,
Within the Yuxi Palace in the capital.
Jiajing had also been contemplating the unprecedented changes in Xuanda.
After much thought, as the situation suddenly escalated to such a magnitude, and observing the court session orchestrated by Yan Song, one point became clear: they had a tacit understanding, a connection.
However, as the emperor, especially the emperor of the Great Ming, under the cabinet system, he truly had no recourse in this matter. If this predicament were revealed to the world, no one would believe it!
Who could believe that the Grand Secretary and the hundred officials could force the emperor's hand, and yet the emperor was helpless? Was the emperor not the most powerful figure in history? Yet, the Great Ming was precisely this bizarre… Forty years ago, Yang Tinghe forced the emperor's hand; forty years later, Yan Song forced the emperor's hand. Which instance was he able to prevent?
Therefore, Zhu Mo was right—
“Cycles of order and chaos, dominance of official clans… the emperor and the people die, but the official clans endure eternally… Implement severe laws, govern the official clans… The era of Yao and Shun, officials were servants of their duties, not ranks… The Prime Minister is the father of all officials… The founding emperor did not establish a Prime Minister, thereby expressing his sincerity in destroying shackles for the people… Under severe laws, establish laws for eternity, ending the cycle of order and chaos…”
These words, fragmented and intermittent, constantly circled in his mind.
The Great Ming had truly reached a critical juncture. If he failed, his descendants would become puppets, Yan Song and Yan Shifan would establish their hegemonic rule, the common people would be reduced to slaves, never to rise again, and the Zhu family descendants would be utterly annihilated.
In court, Yan Song and Yan Shifan had revealed their true ferocity. The officials remained silent with fear, even the usually bold Zhang Juzheng avoided appearing. Xu Jie, toadying to the end, and Gao Gong, who emerged only to gain fame and aspire to become Grand Secretary after opposing Yan, would eventually also force the emperor's hand after assuming office. This showed that not a single one was truly loyal.
Thinking of this,
He opened his eyes and saw Lu Fang lying on his desk, reading several secret reports.
“Lu Fang… are those from Hu Zongxian? What do they say?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, they are indeed from Hu Zongxian. He says… he says that peace talks are possible…”
Heh,
Jiajing smiled and said, “Just said no one was loyal, and now one appears… Hu Zongxian does have strategic insight…”
Lu Fang pondered for a moment and said, “This servant also feels that if it truly comes to it, peace talks are best.”
“How can we have peace without fighting? Are there any others?”