MLMD -Chapter 65 So This Is What It Feels Like to Be Rich?

It was already midnight, and the banquet was nearing its end. By now, Zaisang had drunk quite a bit. Looking at Yue Yang, who sat on his right, he laughed loudly: “Son-in-law, from today on, you’re officially a son-in-law of the Borjigit clan. As the saying goes, family matters don’t need to hide anything—so I’ll speak frankly.”

Yue Yang, accustomed to Zaisang’s way of speaking, smiled and replied, “Father-in-law, please speak freely.”

“First matter!” Zaisang raised a finger, teasingly asking, “Son-in-law, Hailanzhu, when do you plan to get married?”

“Ha ha ha…”

As soon as Zaisang spoke, everyone at the banquet laughed, and all eyes turned to Yue Yang and Hailanzhu sitting beside him.

“Wow, this old man is really straightforward… it’s like he wants the wedding to happen immediately!” Yue Yang, caught off guard by his formidable father-in-law’s directness, instinctively glanced at Hailanzhu sitting beside him.

Hailanzhu, true to her reputation as an extraordinary woman, had been sitting gracefully by Yue Yang ever since Zaisang had announced their marriage earlier that day. She didn’t flinch at anyone’s gaze. Had she been a Han girl, she probably would have hidden away in embarrassment. This alone showed her bold and unreserved nature—loving and hating without hesitation.

Seeing Yue Yang look at her, Hailanzhu didn’t hesitate. “I have no objections. As long as Yue Yang sends a wedding procession to formally propose, I’ll marry him.”

Hearing this, Yue Yang felt a bit embarrassed. The father and daughter were clearly cut from the same cloth—direct and bold. But now that the matter had come this far, he had to respond. After a moment of thought, he said, “Father-in-law, this came up rather suddenly. I must first report to my grandmother and select an auspicious date. I’d estimate the earliest it could happen is two or three months from now. After all, the betrothal gifts must be prepared—I can’t just marry Hailanzhu empty-handed, can I?”

“Hm, that’s true,” Zaisang nodded with a smile, then adopted a serious tone. “Son-in-law, you and Daishan have had some minor conflicts these past few days. As you know, Daishan was originally sent by their Khan to propose to Hailanzhu. Now you’ve stolen the Fiancée of the Later Jin Khan. From what I know of Huang Taiji, he certainly won’t let this go easily. You’d better be careful.”

Although Zaisang’s expression was serious, Yue Yang couldn’t help noticing a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“Damn it, this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t forced your daughter onto me. I would have finished my business and left long ago—why stir up all this trouble?” Yue Yang grumbled silently. But he couldn’t say that out loud, since Hailanzhu was right there.

He simply smiled lightly. “Father-in-law, don’t worry. I am a Ming citizen. No matter how far Daishan stretches, he cannot reach Ming territory, so there’s nothing for me to worry about.”

Zaisang shook his head. “Oh? And what if the Later Jin invades the south again?”

Yue Yang’s expression gradually turned serious. Coldly, he said, “Then there’s nothing to discuss. Though I may be unremarkable, if the Later Jin ever attacks my border again, I will never yield to them!”

The lively atmosphere inside the tent quieted. The onlookers’ gazes toward Yue Yang shifted—some impressed, some mocking, some disdainful, others in surprise or admiration.

At this time, the Later Jin was growing in strength. In the second year of Chongzhen’s reign (1629), Huang Taiji led 100,000 troops through the Khorchin grasslands, bypassing Zunhua and breaking through Da’an Pass, Hongshan Pass, and Longjing Pass, surrounding the strategic Ming garrison at Zunhua. The Shanhaiguan general Zhao fell in battle, and Huang Taiji’s army pressed toward the capital. This was the greatest humiliation the Ming had suffered since the Tumu Fortress Incident.

From this, both the Mongols and the Later Jin could see the weaknesses of the Ming: such a vast empire allowed its capital to be threatened so easily. Had it not been for Yuan Chonghuan’s timely reinforcement, the Later Jin might not have retreated so readily.

In this seven-month-long campaign, the Later Jin not only defeated the Ming’s capital and nearby prefectures, seizing large amounts of people and property at minimal cost, but also annihilated tens of thousands of Ming troops—including one vice minister, one provincial governor, three generals—and forced Chongzhen to execute multiple high officials. Beyond military and economic losses, the Ming suffered a severe blow in talent. This war proved to the world just how fragile the Ming had become.

Thus, when Yue Yang spoke, most Khorchin tribesmen reacted with surprise and disdain. “Even your empire’s elite troops couldn’t match the Later Jin army. And you, a mere merchant, dare boast about fighting them?”

Zaisang’s face flickered but he quickly smiled. “Ha… son-in-law, you are indeed a learned man, direct to the point—but one must always know their limits!”

Yue Yang heard the tone of disdain for the Ming in Zaisang’s words, yet he persisted: “A gentleman knows what he must do and what he must not. Some things must be done.”

The tent fell silent. Zaisang was slightly annoyed at his son-in-law’s “lack of proper appreciation.” Though Yue Yang could provoke Daishan and Aobai, even killing dozens of Later Jin soldiers, those were internal skirmishes—not the same as going to war with the Later Jin. One was trivial; the other was true enmity.

Seeing Yue Yang and Zaisang at an impasse, a clear voice spoke up: “Father, Yue Yang, don’t argue. Both of you are right—you’re just looking from your own perspectives. But I think this is not a big problem. Father, why quarrel over the Later Jin? And Yue Yang, your home is in Shanxi. Even if the Later Jin reaches far, they can’t come there, can they? Isn’t this argument unnecessary?”

“Uh…”

Indeed, everyone realized that Yue Yang’s home in Shanxi was over a thousand miles from the Later Jin—hardly a prosperous area, and they wouldn’t risk invading there. They had been worrying for nothing.

Zaisang laughed sheepishly. Even a weakened Ming was not something the Later Jin could destroy. Their concern had been unnecessary.

Yue Yang felt grateful toward Hailanzhu. This beautiful Mongol girl was so understanding, effortlessly defusing the tense atmosphere. Now he understood why she had become Huang Taiji’s favorite in another timeline: beneath her bold exterior lay a delicate and considerate heart.

Since his fiancée had saved face for him, Yue Yang didn’t want to seem ungrateful. He smiled at Zaisang: “Father-in-law, regardless of my relationship with the Later Jin, I am sure my relationship with you and the Khorchin will be harmonious. After all, we are now family. When I return, I will send a trade caravan with 100 carts of fine salt, 100 carts of tea bricks, 100 carts of cloth, 300 carts of grain, and a large amount of gold, silver, and jewels as betrothal gifts. I hope you will accept them.”

“Boom…”

As soon as Yue Yang finished speaking, the tent erupted in astonishment. His betrothal gift wasn’t merely generous—it was overwhelming. Even when Huang Taiji married Hailanzhu’s sister Dayuer, the gifts weren’t this lavish. In an era of relatively low productivity, Yue Yang’s six hundred-cart gift was unprecedented in Khorchin history.

Zaisang’s delight was so intense he nearly ran at the nose. This son-in-law really knew how to make him proud! Hailanzhu’s gaze softened as she looked at Yue Yang, and even Xiao Man, attending her, beamed with pride. Normally, betrothal gifts in the tribe were three to five cattle or sheep, with some daily necessities. Tribal nobles might give dozens or at most hundreds of livestock. But Yue Yang? He measured everything in carts. Xiao Man couldn’t imagine how many tents would be needed to hold it all.

Watching everyone’s shocked expressions, Yue Yang suddenly felt a surge of triumph. So this is what it feels like to flaunt wealth. Some simple salt, tea bricks, and cloth could shock Mongol nobles so profoundly—this must be what it means to be a rich man.