North Korea had entered a state of war, but Shenyang was still peaceful. Zhu Yijun's banquet for the leaders of the Jurchen tribes was being prepared in an orderly manner.
Everyone was waiting for the arrival of this day. No one believed that this was just a banquet.
Two days before the banquet, Shurhaqi's daughter, Eshkota, was sent to the Panhe Palace.
Zhu Yijun sat in a chair and looked at the beautiful girl standing in front of him with a smile on his face.
Although Eshkota was not as beautiful as Bushiya Mara, she was not without her merits.
Although she was a little dark, she looked very athletic.
Zhu Yijun nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile, "Very good. Stay here tonight!" Then, Zhu Yijun waved his hand at Zhang Jing, indicating that he should take her away.
After Eshkota left, Zhu Yijun asked Zhang Jing, "Has the war started in North Korea?"
"Yes, Imperial Majesty, the war has started in North Korea!" Zhang Jing nodded quickly and said.
Zhu Yijun did not comment on this. In fact, Zhu Yijun did not care about the war in North Korea. Let them fight for a while.
Anyway, Zhu Yijun did not want to send troops to North Korea. He just wanted to watch the fun.
"Let people keep an eye on the war. Don't worry about other things."
Zhu Yijun waved his hand and continued, "Prepare for the banquet with all your heart. I'm going to sleep first!" Then, he stood up and walked to the back. Obviously, he was going to find Eshkota, who had just been sent to the palace.
Soon, the day of the banquet arrived. The leaders of the Jurchen tribes were brought into the Panhe Palace.
Although they had long heard that Emperor Daming had built a Panhe Palace in Shenyang, not many people had entered it. Only Bu Zhai of the Yehe tribe and his son Buyanggu had entered.
The others had only taken a look from the outside. This time, the leaders of the Jurchen tribes really saw the gap between them and the palace.
Although the Panhe Palace was a palace, it was also the place where Zhu Yijun lived.
Especially after seeing the main hall of the Palace of Universal Harmony, this huge palace that was ten meters tall looked really shocking.
The Enlightened Woman was led into the hall and sat down according to her seat.
On the left were the people of the Jurchens, and on the right were the civil and military officials of Daming.
After both parties took their seats, Zhang Jing waved his horsetail whisk and walked out from the back. He shouted towards the main hall, "His Majesty has arrived!"
With a shout, Zhu Yijun walked out from the back, wearing a dragon robe and holding a sword. There was a faint smile on his face. On his left and right were two women. They were Bushiya, Mara, and Eshkota.
Everyone was stunned. No one thought that the emperor would bring these two women out.
The civil and military officials hurriedly knelt down to pay their respects. The Jurchens naturally didn't dare to be negligent and followed suit.
"You may rise!"
Zhu Yijun raised his hand and said with a smile, "I have been looking forward to meeting you for a long time. I am very happy to meet you all today. Servants, let's start the feast!"
Following Zhu Yijun's words, the palace maids and eunuchs who had been waiting outside filed in.
Exquisite porcelain tableware, all kinds of exquisite food, and all kinds of wine were served like flowing water.
The entire hall was shrouded by the fragrance, especially when the green fruits were brought in. Everyone was stunned.
Green fruits and vegetables were rare luxuries in winter.
Even in Daming, they were luxuries, and not many people could afford to eat them.
Of course, this was nothing to Zhu Yijun.
Zhu Yijun picked up a cup of wine and said with a smile, "Daming's royal wine, White Autumn Dew, is my favorite."
"It is brewed from the essence of autumn dew. It is sweet and delicious. Come, everyone, drink to the fullest!"
Following Zhu Yijun's words, everyone quickly picked up their cups and drank a mouthful of wine. Suddenly, a hot breath went down their throats. Not only was it not spicy, but it also had an endless aftertaste.
Their entire bodies felt warm, and the eyes of all the Jurchen leaders lit up.
After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Zhu Yijun put down his chopsticks with a smile and said, "Where is Bu Zhai of Yehe Tribe?"
Hearing Zhu Yijun call him, Bu Zhai quickly stood up and said, "Replying to Your Majesty, Bu Zhai is here!"
Zhu Yijun nodded, then said with a smile, "You have offered Bushiya Amala to the palace, and have deeply touched my heart. I have already made Bushiya Amala Jing Fei. According to the rules of Daming, I should reward you."
"Servants, announce the decree!" Zhu Yijun smiled and waved his hand, then said to Zhang Jing.
Zhang Jing nodded, then took out an imperial decree from behind him and read it out loud, "By the will of the Heavens, the Emperor decrees: Today, the leader of Yehe Tribe, Yehenara Bu Zhai, is a loyal and upright person, and has dedicated himself to his duties. He has deeply touched my heart by offering his daughter to the palace."
"I hereby confer upon Yehenara Bu Zhai the title of Count of Fourth Level, as well as the Commander of Fourth Level Garrison, and a third-rank Zhaoyong General."
"His Majesty has bestowed upon him the surname Ye and given him the name of Ye Zhai. He will be rewarded with one million gold and a hundred bolts of silk to show his merits."
The Daming side was not surprised. Although it was a bit excessive to give a relative of the Imperial Concubine the title of Count, this was a Jurchen, so it didn't matter.
However, the title of Fourth Level made everyone confused. Where was this Fourth Level?
The Jurchen side was worried. Bu Zhai was given the surname Ye?
He didn't want the surname Yehenara anymore?
"This subject thanks the Emperor for his grace. Long live the Emperor!"
Ye Zhai felt very complicated at this time. He was ambitious, but he was not stupid. He felt that he was going to become the target of public criticism.
"Get up!"
Zhu Yijun smiled and gestured for Bu Zhai to dispense with the formalities. Zhu Yijun smiled and said, "Although I have bestowed upon you the surname Ye, it doesn't mean that you should give up your surname. How could I do such a thing?"
"I think that you Jurchen should have a Han surname and a Han name. That would be more convenient."
Speaking up to this point, Zhu Yijun's gaze swept across all the Jurchen leaders. Then, he smiled and said, "What do you think?"
"Your Majesty is wise!" The Daming's officials and generals shouted, and so did the others.
Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "You should know that the Daming has never been stingy with people who are loyal to the Daming. Li Chengliang, the Commander-In-Chief of the Liaodong Army, is a Korean. The current Guihua City Commander, Ma Gui, is a Hui."
"The Daming's first Marquis of Gongshun was named Badu Temur. Now, these people are Daming's loyal subjects and generals."
"I want to tell you that as long as you are loyal to the Daming and sincerely work for the Daming, I will not be stingy with rewards.
You may be wondering where Siping City is, but in fact, it doesn't exist yet. "
Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Zhu Yijun smiled and said, "I'm going to build Siping City on the Erlong River and give it to the Count of Siping. Work hard and make contributions in the future. I won't be stingy with rewards."
This time, everyone could not remain calm. Was he so domineering?
He was directly giving them a city.
Of course, this thing only sounded good to deceive some Jurchen people. The fief of the Great Ming Dynasty's vassals was not small, but in fact, they couldn't do anything. The slogans were loud, but their actions were light.