GBP Chapter 745 Are they here with ill intentions? We are the ones who have come.
Chapter 745 Are they here with ill intentions? We are the ones who have come.
Batu slowly raised three fingers. “Three hundred men. Our Hulusitai tribe will send three hundred men, equipped with horses, provisions, knives, and bows and arrows. Please ask Magistrate Li to take our Hulusitai tribe with him when he goes to Karakorum.”
For a moment, Li Mingchen was at a loss for words.
Upon hearing that they were going to Yangon, the genuine Mongolian man in front of him was even more enthusiastic than he, a genuine Han Chinese.
After a long while, Li Mingchen finally spoke, "This time, I led my men to Karakorum without the Emperor's decree or the Grand Commander's permission. I left the pass without authorization. Does Batu, the centurion, dare to send men to follow me?"
Batu hesitated for a moment.
Having the consent of the Ming Emperor or the Grand Commander, and going to Karakorum without the Ming Emperor or the Grand Commander's knowledge, are two completely different concepts.
The former is easy to deal with regardless of winning or losing, while the latter is certain death if you lose, and difficult to explain even if you win.
This Magistrate Li in front of me is quite audacious.
Eh?
Batu's eyes suddenly lit up, and he looked at Li Mingchen and asked, "May I ask where you are from, Li? Have you ever studied at the Imperial Academy?"
Li Mingchen was slightly taken aback, but then laughed: "I am from Ningyang County, Shandong Province. I have never studied at the Imperial Academy. However, my teacher is indeed the current emperor's son-in-law, the Duke of Ying, and concurrently the prefect of Dengzhou and the magistrate of Ningyang County."
Batu was immediately relieved. "Magistrate Li, please take the person away. If His Majesty the Emperor blames us, I will share the responsibility with Magistrate Li."
The Ming emperor must be furious!
After all, he led his troops out of the pass without authorization, so how could he not be blamed for this crime?
Of course, I know you'd be reluctant to blame your son-in-law for such a good student, but you can blame me! You must order someone to drag me away and beat me to death!
As long as I, the centurion, am spared, I can establish a relationship with Li Mingchen.
We burned down Helin together, and I took the blame for him. We might not be friends who would risk their lives for each other, but at least I, as a centurion, can openly visit Li Mingchen.
What if one day you accidentally run into Yang... or accidentally run into the Prince Consort?
This is the lifeline for the Hulusitai tribe for the next hundred years, and also its greatest fortune for the next hundred years.
At least in the southern part of the Gobi Desert, no other tribe can think of riding on the head of the Hulusitai tribe again!
Having made up his mind, Batu's smile became even more obsequious.
"Men, hurry up and slaughter the cattle and sheep, slaughter several of them, roast all the extra meat, add plenty of salt, and let the brothers take some to eat on the road!"
"Go to my house and get the tea bricks, then brew some mare's milk tea!"
"See if anyone has any extra sheepskin coats. Find a few more so the brothers don't get cold!"
"..."
After giving a series of instructions, Batu grabbed Li Mingchen's arm and said with a smile, "Come, come, come with me to the yurt to warm up. We're on our own turf, so don't be shy."
Once inside the yurt, Batu grinned widely and said to his wife, "Where's Tuya? We have guests; tell her to cook the meat."
Batu's wife agreed, and Batu then turned to Li Mingchen and said, "Let's rest tonight and leave tomorrow?"
Li Mingchen was completely numb.
If I don't leave today, I'll have another wife from the grasslands tomorrow!
The problem is, I'm already engaged, and we'll be getting married next year.
Li Mingchen waved his hand without hesitation and refused: "I appreciate Batu's kindness, but the military situation is urgent and cannot be delayed."
Batu feigned displeasure, "Even if we set off now, we won't reach the Tutu tribe until evening. Can you rest in the Tutu tribe but not in the Hulusitai tribe?"
“If anyone says that I, Batu, did not properly entertain my friends who have come from afar, even the Eternal Heaven will not forgive me.”
"Moreover, the eagles of the Horustai tribe also need some time to prepare."
"Stay here, my friend. Let's have a good drink tonight, and tomorrow morning we'll go find the fleeing barbarians and teach those arrogant bastards a lesson."
Li Mingchen remained completely bewildered.
A typical Mongol, constantly shouting that he would teach the barbarians a lesson.
Does this sound like a word?
Is this right?
Just as Li Mingchen was mentally ranting, Batu suddenly changed the subject, bringing up his daughter: "My daughter Tuya is sixteen years old this year and is a well-known beauty in the entire tribe."
"Unfortunately, because she was too beautiful, she looked down on the young men in the tribe who only knew how to ride horses and herd sheep, and instead preferred the scholars from within the Great Wall."
"Magistrate Li..."
Li Mingchen quickly stopped Batu, saying, "I am deeply grateful for Batu's kindness. However, I am already engaged. My fiancée is a lady-in-waiting in the princess's household, and we will get married next year."
Batu clicked his tongue in regret.
If I could become Li Mingchen's father-in-law, I, a mere centurion, would certainly drive my cattle and sheep to Ningyang County to visit my in-laws, and also thank Yang Dian... thank the Imperial Son-in-Law for teaching such a fine student.
Pity.
Seeing Batu's regretful and unwilling expression, Li Mingchen quickly changed the subject: "Batu just said he wants to slaughter more cattle and sheep. I wonder if that will affect the life of the Hulusitai tribe?"
Batu smiled and looked at Li Mingchen, saying, "It will definitely have an impact, but Magistrate Li can rest assured. The Hulusitai tribe can move inland first, and then move back after the grasslands are pacified."
After a slight pause, Batu continued, "Magistrate Li has pacified the Zhao Mao Tu tribe, the Tao Jun Tu tribe, and the Tang Tu tribe, leaving only the Hu Lu Si Tai tribe. This is too obvious a target and could easily be targeted by the Hu Yuan Tartars."
“Even if you take your men to Karakorum, I will pretend to be someone you have harmed, and I will not give up on conscripting the men of the Horustai tribe, nor will I give up on requisitioning their grain and warhorses.”
"Therefore, from the moment Magistrate Li brought your troops to the grasslands, I was destined to lead my people to relocate inland first."
……
The news that Li Mingchen attacked the Zhaomaotu tribe and forced them to relocate inland, and that he attacked the Hulusitai tribe and plundered three hundred fine horses, could not be kept secret in the end.
Therefore, when Li Mingchen led 1,100 cavalry to wipe out the fleeing Tu tribe and arrived at the Tang Tu tribe, he was greeted by the Tang Tu cavalry who were already prepared for battle.
Li Mingchen spat angrily and cursed, "Damn it, they're up to no good."
Morigen glanced at the Tangtu cavalry opposite him, then at Li Mingchen, and said in a low voice, "Young master, we are the ones who have come."
"Besides, they only have a little over three hundred people. If anyone is being malicious, it's us who are being malicious."
"them?"
"At most, they'll just get beaten up."
Li Mingchen glared at Morigen and reprimanded him, "Haven't you heard that a desperate army is bound to win? When two armies are facing each other, you can never be too careful. You must never underestimate your opponent just because you have more people."