Emperor Chongzhen wanted to start an arms race with the Jiannu, and specifically in a naval arena where the Jiannu were hardly familiar.
Back in the day, Uncle Sam used a remarkably similar method to drag down the Soviet bear.
Historically, before the seventeenth year of Chongzhen's reign, Hong Taiji had sent envoys on several occasions to sue for peace with the Great Ming Dynasty.
Chapter 636