MLMD -Chapter 235 Heated Debate

The great tent fell into a sudden silence. Everyone stared at the Great Lady, who was so different from her usual self, and for a moment, no one quite knew how to react. Even Uyunna, Ergetu, and Bater, who were on good terms with Namuzhong, were taken aback—after all, the contrast was just too stark.

Stiqintu moved her lips a few times before finally scoffing, “Fine, even if he has the qualifications to sit here, today’s meeting is an internal tribal matter. It doesn’t concern General Yue. Great Lady, inviting him here like this… it’s not really appropriate, is it?”

Namuzhong had long anticipated this question. She smiled lightly and said, “Of course it concerns him. The reason I invited General Yue here today is to announce something very important, something that has tremendous significance for our tribe as well. Stiqintu, do you still have any objections after hearing that?”

“Hmph!”

Having spoken so clearly, Stiqintu naturally had nothing more to say. She snorted through her nose and fell silent.

Seeing Stiqintu, who had battled her for years, finally brought low, Namuzhong felt an unbridled sense of satisfaction. She cast a triumphant glance at Stiqintu, then calmly continued, “Actually, the reason I invited General Yue here is to announce something important: After discussions with him, General Yue has agreed to station a permanent contingent of roughly three thousand soldiers within our tribe from now on. Their task will be to ensure the safety of our people!”

“Boom…”

As soon as Namuzhong’s words left her mouth, the tent erupted like a boiling pot.

“This… is impossible…”

“Heavens! Am I hearing things?”

“Is this some kind of joke? Our brave Chahar Tribe actually needs protection from Han soldiers? That’s impossible!”

The tent buzzed with chatter and disbelief. Even the usually supportive Uyunna and Ergetu were shocked at Namuzhong’s decision.

“This is absolutely impossible! We are the descendants of the great Genghis Khan—how can we let Han soldiers protect us?” As expected, Stiqintu was the first to speak out.

“Yes! Great Lady, your decision is absurd. If this continues, the honor of the Chahar Tribe will be utterly tarnished. If we die in the future, how can we face Genghis Khan or our ancestors?” Bade Maonau Boqi also stood up in opposition.

Yue Yang calmly surveyed the scene. Though the others in the tent were silent, nearly all wore the same look of hesitation and doubt. He glanced at Bater and the others who usually supported Namuzhong, noting that even they looked conflicted.

For once, Namuzhong, normally inclined to compromise, displayed uncharacteristic firmness. She slammed the armrest of her chair with a crisp crack and shouted, “Enough! Do you even see me, the Great Lady? If you think I am incapable of leading you out of this predicament or protecting you, then remove me. Replace me with someone competent—I will step aside without a word. Otherwise, you will listen to me until I am finished!”

Her words immediately silenced all objections. In the past, this position might have been easy to debate, but now it was like holding a hot potato—anyone who took it on risked being burned. No one wanted to shoulder such a thankless burden.

Seeing that everyone had gone quiet, Namuzhong gave a slight hum and said, “You’re all quiet now. Very well, General Yue, it’s your turn to speak.”

“Alright.”

Yue Yang nodded, straightened his back, and swept the room with a sharp gaze. Anyone caught in it felt a chill run through them.

“Very well,” he began, “since Great Lady Namuzhong asked me to speak, I’ll explain. If, after I finish, you still believe we shouldn’t station troops in the Chahar Tribe, I will gladly cancel the decision.”

“Huh? What does he mean?” Everyone was momentarily stunned.

Seeing their expressions, Yue Yang smiled coldly and continued, “I heard someone say you are all descendants of the great Genghis Khan and don’t need protection. Fine. Let me ask you this: if we withdraw our protection, how long will the Chahar Tribe survive? Three days? Ten?

I can say this bluntly: Even if the Jurchens withdrew their troops now, your lives would still be at risk. Can the Chahar Tribe withstand the forces of any neighboring tribe—the Zahar, the Torei, or the Khorchin? The truth is, once we withdraw, it won’t take half a month before your tribe vanishes from the Mongolian steppes. Your noble ladies will be taken, your leaders will be enslaved, your wealth, cattle, and horses will become plunder—this will be your inevitable fate!”

Yue Yang’s words struck like a hammer, heavy and unyielding. Though many were visibly angered, none could deny the truth in his statement. Life on the steppes was harsh and unforgiving; without strong protection, any tribe was a target for plunder. Throughout history, countless tribes vanished amidst endless conflicts, and the Chahar Tribe would be no exception.

Seeing the silence in the tent, Yue Yang continued, “There are benefits to our troops being stationed here. First, our forces will only ensure your safety—they won’t interfere in your internal affairs.

Second, with our troops present, I will facilitate trade between your tribe and the cities of Yingzhou, Hunyuanzhou, and the northern Shanxi route. We need your cattle, sheep, horses, and wool; in return, we can supply the cloth, iron, grain, tea, and daily goods that you urgently need. Trade will be fair and equitable, and no one will be coerced.”

Though Yue Yang spoke softly, his words ignited the tent like a spark in a pan of boiling oil.

The Mongols’ expressions began to shift. Life on the steppes had always been frugal. Aside from the endless grasslands and their livestock, they had few resources. Tea, grain, cloth—everything was scarce. Even a simple cosmetic box from the Central Plains would be a prized possession.

Now Yue Yang told them they could trade anything they had for what they needed, at fair prices—news as precious as a giant cake falling from the sky.

Yet concerns remained. A well-fed middle-aged noble lady stood and asked, “General Yue, how can we be sure these trades will be fair? Over the years, Ming merchants have cheated us—exchanging a small bag of salt for a fine warhorse, or a single garment for a lamb we raised ourselves. We don’t want to be exploited again.”

Yue Yang touched his nose and replied with a hint of helplessness, “That’s all in the past. I can guarantee that from now on, we will uphold fairness and justice. A joint trade guild will be established with representatives from both sides to safeguard your rights. The details can be worked out gradually. And…”