Changing commanders mid-battle has always been a major military taboo. The court kept a bunch of useless officials, yet failed to cherish the few remaining capable ministers. If they weren’t doomed to fall, then who was?
The hall erupted in an uproar, with everyone wearing expressions of shock.
The main reason was the emperor’s actions were truly unbelievable. Given the court’s current situation, exiling Tuotuo was no different from tearing down their own Great Wall. Had the emperor gone mad?
Old Zhu’s agitated movements grew somewhat wild, startling Mu Qing into quickly clutching his arm to avoid being thrown off.
He knew this was a moment for excitement, but everyone should hold their horses. If they got this worked up now, what would happen when they learned they were destined to become the founders of the next dynasty?
Calm down, calm down. So the emperor had lost his mind—history was full of foolish rulers. This was nothing special.
Instances of fathers and grandfathers building enterprises only for descendants to squander them were everywhere. Not to mention others, the later generations of the Old Zhu family would surpass their predecessors in this regard.
He remembered making a video titled “The Sixteen Emperors of the Great Ming, Each a Freak.” If Old Zhu ever saw that video, things would get really interesting.
Given Old Zhu’s temper, he’d probably be so furious he’d swear off having children for life.
The little child struggled to steady himself, seized the chance to plant his feet on the ground, and toddled with all his might to the steps where he plopped down, thoroughly disgusted with his father’s embrace.
Old Zhu chuckled awkwardly. Seeing his son sitting obediently on the steps without causing trouble, he turned his attention back to staring intently at the light screen.
The emperor voluntarily exiling Tuotuo—such good fortune was something he wouldn’t even dare dream of.
Xu Da burst into hearty laughter, so overjoyed he nearly danced on the spot. “The dog emperor’s madness is splendid! If he weren’t crazy, where would we find our path to survival? Hahahahaha!”
Others chimed in agreement. Zhu Wenzheng, clenching his fists, added, “Exactly! The dog emperor is digging his own grave—can’t blame anyone else. The Mongols have committed countless sins; they deserve to be stuck with such a dog emperor.”
Old Zhu swatted him. “What do you mean the Mongols are stuck with him? Clearly, we’re the ones stuck with this dog emperor! We’re the ones who’ve suffered all these years!”
Why were the Yellow River floods getting worse each year? Because the high officials at court deliberately used Kaifeng Prefecture, Guide Prefecture, and other areas on the southern bank as flood diversion zones to protect Dadu!
As long as the capital wasn’t flooded, those officials could turn a blind eye.
This wasn’t a natural disaster—it was a man-made catastrophe.
The Central Plains stretched thousands of miles of fertile land flat as a prairie. With Kaifeng and Guide prefectures becoming flood zones, nearby regions couldn’t escape either. Whenever the Yellow River diverted into the Huai River and flowed to the sea, most of the Central Plains would be inundated.
When the court provided relief to disaster victims, millions of Han disaster victims received only 90,000 ingots of paper currency and 15,000 dan of rice. Yet for Mongols, it was three ingots per person, two bolts of cloth, and three months’ rations. With such a vast disparity in treatment, where could the Han people seek justice?
The emperor was Mongol, and the overwhelming majority of court ministers were Mongols. How could the Mongols possibly suffer as much as the Han?
If you don’t know how to speak properly, then don’t speak. No one would mistake you for mute if you kept quiet.
Old Zhu packed quite a punch. Zhu Wenzheng clutched his head, grimacing in pain, and squatted on the steps to sit beside his brother. “Fine, I won’t speak if you don’t want me to. Was hitting necessary?”
Fortunately, he was the one who got the knuckle rap. If it had landed on his little brother, the child would surely have been reduced to tears.
Mu Qing subtly shifted away. He wasn’t foolish—he had no intention of getting hit.
The scene on the light screen shifted from a map to chibi-style military tents and troops, with the subsequent events presented in an animated format, complete with whimsical voiceovers.
[Some things are hard to describe with words alone, so let’s watch a cartoon!]
[Setting: The Yuan army’s main camp outside Gaoyou.
Time: The moment the million-strong army learns the emperor intends to betray Tuotuo.
Cast: Tuotuo and his trusted aides.]
The emperor’s envoy had arrived outside the tent, and Tuotuo’s confidants gathered to discuss countermeasures.
Chibi Character A, aware of the envoy’s ill intentions, earnestly advised, “A general in the field may disregard orders from his sovereign. Your Excellency received a secret decree when you set out. Now, you need only continue the campaign against Gaoyou under that decree. Do not open the imperial edict—once opened, disaster will follow.”
With Gaoyou on the verge of falling, their plan was to quell the rebellion, eliminate the Red Turban Army, and return to the emperor with merits. Even if the emperor was angry, the punishment would likely be lenient.
Chibi Character B seethed with murderous intent, “Let’s just kill the emperor’s envoy. If we all insist we never saw the edict, the Chancellor won’t have to return to Dadu.”
Chibi Character C drew his blade, “Kill the envoy!”
Yet the chibi figure representing Tuotuo refused to confront the envoy. Deeply sinicized and bound by the principle that “a subject must die if the ruler demands it,” he declared, “If the emperor issues an edict and I disobey, where lies the duty between ruler and subject?”
His chibi aides grew frantic, flames practically shooting from their heads. “This is clearly a plot by treacherous court officials! If you obey the edict, you will surely face calamity upon return. Chancellor, reconsider!”
They knelt, weeping and pleading, but Tuotuo would not listen.
The scene shifted to his departure. Tuotuo calmed his furious officers and soldiers, likely sensing his own perilous fate. Before leaving, he gifted his armor and warhorse to his confidants, instructing them to lead their troops under the new commander.
The wind whistled coldly, as the brave hero departed, never to return.
They parted ways here.
The chibi figures wept uncontrollably. Unable to kill the envoy, they turned their blades on themselves, blocking Tuotuo’s path in a desperate plea. “Your journey is fraught with peril, Chancellor. Without you, we too are doomed. Rather than die later at the hands of villains, we would rather die now before you!”
A row of chibi figures drew their swords and slit their throats in unison. Blood sprayed everywhere, splattering so high it nearly covered the entire light screen.
Yet even their sacrifice could not stop Tuotuo from returning to Dadu.
What should have been a poignant tragedy, rendered in chibi animation, somehow carried an absurdly comical tone.
Tang He watched the wiggling chibi figures and chuckled, “These little characters are quite charming.”
Xu Da rubbed his chin, “They’re like the clay figures old men in the village used to make, but much more lively.”
Hua Yun grinned, “And so colorful! If all Mongols looked like this, they might not seem so detestable.”
Mu Qing: ???
Uncles, read the room! Since when did you tough guys get so sentimental?
Old Zhu scowled and kicked each of them, “Keep spouting nonsense, and I’ll feed you to the Mongols as appetizers.”
The tough guys covered their mouths and focused on the screen as the heavenly voice’s narration resumed.
[The mastermind behind Tuotuo’s death was Guo Ge’s favored minister Hama. Of course, without Guo Ge’s approval, Hama could never have harmed Tuotuo. Next, let’s delve into who Hama really was.]
Hama was originally promoted by Tuotuo. His mother was the wet nurse of Emperor Ningzong of Yuan, and both he and his younger brother Xue Xue were trusted confidants of the emperor. When Tuotuo first served as chancellor, Hama held the position of Assistant Administrator of the Privy Council. At that time, Hama fawned on Tuotuo in every possible way.
After Tuotuo resigned due to illness to recuperate at home, some court officials impeached Tuotuo. Hama still vigorously defended him. Not long after, Hama and his brother Xue Xue were also impeached and demoted. At that time, no one could have imagined that they would become mortal enemies a few years later.
Later, when Tuotuo returned to the chancellorship, he specifically promoted Hama to Right Vice-Chancellor of the Central Secretariat to repay the brothers for their defense. Hama aspired to be Tuotuo’s foremost subordinate, but Tuotuo’s most trusted confidant was not him, but Ru Zhongbai, the Director of the Left Bureau. Hama was deeply displeased. After failing to win Tuotuo’s favor, his admiration turned to hatred, and he began to harbor a grudge against Tuotuo.
After Tuotuo was recalled from the front lines by Guo Ge’s edict, he was initially placed in Huai’an Circuit, then soon moved to Ejina Circuit—present-day Ejin Banner in Inner Mongolia. But Hama remained uneasy; he was determined to see Tuotuo dead.
In May of the 15th year of the Zheng era, Hama instructed his allies at court to submit a memorial to the emperor, claiming that the punishment of Tuotuo and his family was too lenient and requesting stricter penalties.
The heartless Guo Ge had already forgotten his past goodwill with Tuotuo. As soon as Hama made his accusation, he immediately exiled Tuotuo to Yunnan.
In December of the 15th year of the Zheng era, upon hearing that Tuotuo had safely arrived in Yunnan, Hama forged an imperial edict and dispatched an envoy ordering him to drink poisoned wine. Tuotuo’s blind loyalty resurfaced; though he knew the edict was suspicious, he still drank the poisoned wine. Thus, the last capable chancellor of the Great Yuan died at the age of forty-two, framed by treacherous officials.
After Tuotuo’s death, Li Shanchang felt a sense of shared sorrow. “In those days, the ruler was enlightened and the ministers diligent, yet it ended in exile and execution. Alas, how unjust! Alas, how unjust!”
Zhu Yuanzhang sneered coldly, “What injustice? The Mongols have been sucking the blood of the Han people for so many years. They all deserve to die—none of them are innocent.”
Li Shanchang gave an awkward smile. As a reasonable scholar, he knew better than to argue with an uncouth man.
Tuotuo’s death caused the Yuan dynasty, which he had painstakingly tried to repair for so many years, to completely collapse. This also marked a critical turning point in the decline of the Yuan dynasty.
After Tuotuo’s expulsion and execution, Guo Ge completely degenerated. Hama found him many Tibetan monks—none of whom, of course, were proper monks.
The emperor thenceforth indulged in debauchery, immersed in esoteric Buddhism, practicing so-called “dual cultivation techniques” with those Tibetan monks. He also built Qingning Hall in the palace, surrounding it with the Hundred Flowers Palace, and moved between palaces every five days.
In the 16th year of the Zheng era, Hama attempted to persuade Guo Ge to abdicate in favor of the Crown Prince. However, his brother-in-law Tulu Timur exposed the plot to Guo Ge. Enraged, Guo Ge condemned Hama to death for his own misdeeds, sending him to the underworld.
Afterward, Empress Qi and the Crown Prince gradually developed rebellious intentions, while Piao Buhua and Shuo Si Jian further disrupted court politics. Historical records state: “At this time, the troubles across the land grew increasingly severe. Externally, military campaigns were frequent, and territories shrank daily; internally, the treasury was empty, and resources were insufficient. Yet the emperor remained immersed in pleasure, neglecting state affairs.”
While the court descended into chaos, the two warlords the Yuan court relied on to suppress the Red Turban Army—Chaghan Timur and Bolad Timur—fought each other for territory.
The world descended further into chaos, with warlords carving out territories across the land. The Central Plains were plagued by unbearable suffering, and the Yuan dynasty had already lost half its territory. Even Dadu was in peril.
While Guo Ge indulged in pleasure, the Grand Canal and maritime transport were both blocked, leading to a famine in Dadu that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. “The capital suffered a great famine, compounded by plague, with reports of people resorting to cannibalism, even between father and son.” If even the capital, Dadu, had fallen to such a state, one could only imagine the conditions elsewhere.
Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression remained impassive. “Hundreds of thousands starved to death in Dadu, but in Henan, the death toll was far greater.”
Mu Qing sighed softly. Just moments ago, he had mentioned that the main event was reserved for later, to properly introduce you, Old Man!
Ancient and modern audiences had different focuses. Not only was Old Zhu unmoved by the tragedy in Dadu, but others also reacted with indifference.
The suffering of the people in Dadu? Hah, their own lives were even more wretched.
Mu Qing recalled the days he had spent fleeing with his brother, rubbing his arms as a shiver of fear ran through him. Collecting himself, he turned his attention back to the video.
To be fair, Tuotuo was by no means a man of absolute impartiality, free from bias or factionalism. He held grudges and would sabotage those he disliked, and during his administration, factional purges were frequent. Nevertheless, he could still be regarded as the last “paperhanger” of the Yuan dynasty, worthy of the title “Wise Minister.”
Since ancient times, China had upheld the tradition of “destroying a state but not extinguishing its lineage.” The continuity of Chinese culture over millennia was rooted in the ancient principle that “a state may perish, but its history must not.” Thus, each dynasty would compile the history of its predecessor.
When the Mongol cavalry unified the land, it stood to reason that they should have compiled the histories of the dynasties they had conquered. However, by the time Emperor Huizong of Yuan ascended the throne, the official histories of the Song, Liao, and Jin dynasties had yet to be written, as the question of which dynasty should be recognized as the legitimate one remained unresolved. In fact, the debate persists to this day, with historians still fiercely arguing over whether the Song, Liao, or Jin should be considered the orthodox.
While assisting Emperor Huizong of Yuan in implementing the “Reforms” and advancing new policies, Tuotuo revisited this old issue. Since the compilation of histories could no longer be delayed, it was decided that all three dynasties—Liao, Song, and Jin—would be recognized as legitimate, and their histories would be compiled simultaneously.
In the third year of the Zhengzhi era, Emperor Huizong of Yuan issued an edict to compile the histories of the Liao, Jin, and Song dynasties. Tuotuo was appointed chief editor, and Confucian scholars who had resigned during Bayan’s autocratic rule now responded to the summons and entered the National History Bureau. In addition to Han Chinese, the bureau included historians from ethnic groups such as the Uyghur, Karluk, Tangut, and Kipchak. This initiative pioneered the collaboration of historians from diverse ethnic groups in compiling history.
In the tenth year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song, Wanyan Zongbi broke the alliance and attacked the Song. Yue Fei led his army north in a counteroffensive, and the people of the Two Rivers region spread the news far and wide. Local militia forces rose up in response, coordinating attacks against the Jin army.
The Yue Family Army successively recaptured Zhengzhou, Luoyang, and other territories, decisively defeating the Jin forces at Yancheng and Yingchang, and advanced to Zhuxian Town. The army’s momentum was unstoppable. However, Emperor Gaozong of Song, Zhao Gou, and his chancellor Qin Hui were determined to seek peace. They issued twelve “Golden Tablets” to urgently recall the army.
During the peace negotiations between the Song and Jin, Yue Fei was framed by Qin Hui, Zhang Jun, and others. He was imprisoned and, along with his eldest son Yue Yun and subordinate Zhang Xian, executed on trumped-up charges.
The History of Song, compiled during the Yuan dynasty, states: “Had Yue Fei achieved his ambition, the grievances against the Jin could have been avenged, and the shame of the Song wiped clean.” Even the Mongols acknowledged that if Yue Fei had succeeded, he would have reclaimed the lost territories, defeated the Jin, and avenged the “Jingkang Incident.” One can only imagine the emotions of the Han scholars in the National History Bureau.
[It is said that after the historical draft was completed, Tuotuo finished reading The Biography of Yue Fei and wrote, “Emperor Gaozong could bear to abandon the Central Plains, thus he could bear to kill Yue Fei. Alas, how unjust! Alas, how unjust!”]
[The Biography of Yue Fei ended with this, and he himself met a similar fate. One must say fate is truly mysterious.]
Was Yue Fei unjustly treated? Yes. Was Tuotuo unjustly treated? Also yes.
[Emperor Huizong of Yuan once said, “Among men there is Tuotuo, among horses there are celestial steeds—both are outstanding figures of their time.” His edict even stated, “I and the Chancellor jointly govern the empire.” Unfortunately, people always change. A dying dynasty is beyond saving, and the harmony between ruler and minister is only temporary. Once the emperor grew suspicious, even Tuotuo could not escape death.]
Li Shanchang listened with tears welling up in his eyes, “How tragic, how lamentable.”
If Yue Fei had not died, if Tuotuo had not died…
Old Zhu shot a glare over, and Old Li immediately straightened his back, pretending he had said nothing.
The image on the light screen returned to a map—this time of Dadu and the northern regions. The heavenly voice, having lamented Tuotuo’s death, noticeably quickened its pace.
[In the 22nd year of the Zhengzheng era, the Yuan court began receiving petitions to rehabilitate Tuotuo. Guo Ge issued an edict restoring his official titles and returning his family property.]
[In the 26th year of the Zhengzheng era, Yuan court ministers, facing the nearly collapsed dynasty, sighed, “Changing generals mid-battle marked the beginning of our nation’s military decline, the start of financial waste, the rise of rampant banditry, and the beginning of the people’s suffering. Had Tuotuo not died, how could the empire have fallen into such chaos today?”]
[With death at their doorstep, the Yuan court began to miss the virtuous minister who had nearly turned the tide. They requested the posthumous grant of a one-character princely title, an honorary name, and the title of meritorious statesman for Tuotuo. Not a single official in the court voted against it, but regret had come too late.]
[Before they could formalize the posthumous honors, the Yuan dynasty fell.]
[In the first month of the 28th year of the Zhengzheng era, the Great Ming was founded. The Ming army advanced triumphantly and unstoppably, capturing Dadu by the eighth month of that year. The Prince of Huai, Regent Temürbukha, and others died for their country, marking the end of the Yuan dynasty’s rule in the Central Plains and the beginning of the Northern Yuan era.]
[Guo Ge had long prepared for flight. The eunuchs beside him wept and admonished, “The empire is the empire of Emperor Shizu. Your Majesty should defend it to the death—how can you abandon it? We are willing to lead the soldiers, civilians, and Kheshig out of the city to resist the enemy. We implore Your Majesty to hold the capital firmly!” Yet he replied, “How can I repeat the fate of Emperors Hui and Qin of Song?” That very night, he opened the city gates and fled to Shangdu with his consorts and ministers.]
[Not repeating the fate of Emperors Hui and Qin of Song? What, the two emperors of Song were captured by the Jin army, while he fled north voluntarily—so they can’t be compared, is that it?]
[Yet another case of “Your subjects are ready to fight to the death, so why has Your Majesty surrendered first?”]
Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, “Deceiving themselves. Pah.”
The other brothers: “Pah!”
Mu Qing whispered softly: “Pah!”
[After arriving in Shangdu, Guo Ge showed signs of revitalization, “toiling day and night, summoning ministers late into the night” and “gathering officials to discuss plans for recovery,” ordering Kökö Temür to reinforce him.]
[Kökö Temür won a brilliant victory against the Ming army at Handian. Guo Ge, intoxicated by this great triumph, immediately enfeoffed Kökö Temür as the Prince of Qi and ordered him to march and recapture Dadu.]
[Kökö Temür, Han name Wang Baobao, also known in the jianghu as “Wang the Flee.” He failed to recapture Dadu and was instead utterly defeated by the Ming army, escaping in the end with only eighteen riders.]
【The Yuan forces suffered consecutive defeats, and Guo Ge, struck by these setbacks, reverted to a state of apathy. In the 29th year of the Zhengzheng era, the Northern Yuan court abandoned Shangdu and fled to Yingchang. In the fourth month of the following year, Guo Ge passed away in Yingchang at the age of fifty-one.】
【Our Guo Ge’s life was full of ups and downs. It would be inappropriate to blame the fall of the Yuan dynasty entirely on him, but it’s equally impossible to say he bore no responsibility at all. Perhaps there’s some mystique in naming—he was called “Tie Guo” (Iron Pot), and in the end, the “pot” of a fallen dynasty landed squarely on his head.】
【After Guo Ge’s death, he was given the temple name Huizong. The founding emperor of the Great Ming, believing this fellow “knew to obey heaven’s mandate and retreated,” bestowed upon him the honorific title “Shun Di” (Compliant Emperor)—a rather cutting gesture.】
Zhu Yuanzhang pricked up his ears at the words “Ming army” and “Great Ming,” visibly perking up. “Liu Futong’s uprising, backed by the White Lotus Society, claimed the ‘Advent of the King of Light.’ Could it be them who drove the Mongols out of Dadu?”
Tang He nodded thoughtfully. “Highly likely.”
Among the many rebel forces across the land, Liu Futong was currently the most formidable. His ability to repeatedly defeat imperial troops and seize cities right under their noses spoke volumes about his prowess.
Moreover, Old Liu had a deep-seated grudge against the court. His family were wealthy landowners, and he himself had served as a Patrol Inspector—comfortable and content, with no initial thoughts of rebellion.
But some years earlier, when Jia Lu was managing the Yellow River and Huai River floods, he abused his authority under the guise of river repairs to extort treasures from the Liu family. Failing in this, he deliberately redirected the river channel to run through the Liu ancestral home.
When the floodwaters came, the family’s generations-old residence was destroyed.
If not for this incident, Liu Futong would never have become a rebel leader. More likely, he would have followed the path of Henan’s Li Siqi and Chaghan Timur, recruiting troops to serve the court and earning rewards by suppressing rebels.
Destroying someone’s ancestral home is little different from desecrating their graves. Jia Lu fell ill and died during the siege of Haozhou, and with him gone, Liu’s vengeance was rightly directed at the court.
Old Liu and the court were thus locked in a blood feud. After rising in rebellion, he had been stirring trouble in the north—but it now seemed his actions weren’t mere provocation; they were preparations for a future assault on Dadu.
He had the strength, the motive, and the fitting banner.
After discussing it with his brothers, Old Zhu slapped his thigh in conviction: without a doubt, the Ming army must be Liu Futong’s forces!