Chapter 27: Cheating at Mian Guan

  It's a bit cumbersome, slightly inferior in mobility, and the loading process is also complicated, but it also has advantages in range and armor penetration. Moreover, this thing that is not as good as a continuous burning fire lance still has room for improvement, even now, it's not bad as a defensive weapon!

  Zhu Yongxing smiled slightly and didn't make any further explanation, instead shifting his gaze towards the few people brought by Cang.

  "Your Highness, these are the chieftains of our tribe, Nu Hong, Luo Bu and Guo Zha." Xiang introduced these few Meng Shan Ke ethnic people to Zhu Yongxing.

  Several people stepped forward, addressing him as "Your Excellency", and performed a bowing ceremony with an attitude of respect. Zhu Yongxing hastily returned the courtesy and said: "Several village masters, there is no need to be so polite, at present we have not left Myanmar, my identity must not be publicly disclosed, please be cautious."

  Of course, the Burmese must not know that Zhu Yongxing was involved in this rebellion, otherwise they would have to ask Emperor Yongle and the small court for justice, and Zhu Yongxing's tricks might be exposed. For this reason, Zhu Yongxing wore and dressed as a Mangshan Kezu person, and his identity was only known to important figures such as the village elder and the village master.

  "The defenders of the Burmese Pass are less than a thousand, and taking the pass should be no problem." After a successful ambush and interrogation of Burmese prisoners, the true situation at the Burmese Pass was fully grasped, and Zhang was filled with confidence in victory.

  "Still be cautious and careful, act according to plan, fewer casualties the better." Zhu Yongxing had no doubt about the victory either, but still remained calm and composed.

  Undoubtedly, such a calm and composed performance added many points to Zhu Yongxing. The several village heads were even more respectful and reverent. Since they had already entrusted the fate of their entire clan to Zhu Yongxing's hands, they naturally had to welcome him with open arms. After all, his status in the eyes of the village heads was a noble and lofty one that they could not help but look up to.

  A few people sat down to discuss for a moment, and then dispersed one after another to make arrangements. Now only the Mengguan Pass obstacle remained in front of them, and rushing out would be a vast expanse of sky and sea. The Mangshan Miao people might think so, but Zhu Yongxing knew the difficulties that lay ahead.

  In historical records, Yongli's entry into Myanmar is often seen as a sign that the Southern Ming dynasty was powerless to turn back the tide, and the Manchu Qing dynasty's momentum was unstoppable. However, Zhu Youxiao now wants to do the opposite - hinder the wheels of history from rolling forward and go against the current of history. He is overestimating his abilities, trying to stop a chariot with bare arms, shaking a tree with a tiny insect, hitting a rock with an egg... There are many words that can be used to describe Zhu Youxiao's actions, but he insists on being China's Don Quixote, challenging what seems like an invincible dynasty.

  Determination and courage, however, stem from his indignation towards China's painful history, from his unwillingness to accept the repeated calamities suffered by the Chinese nation, and also from a small bit of confidence he has in his familiarity with history. Of course, to be a loyal martyr who sacrifices himself for the country, Zhu Yongxing still lacks that kind of generous and resolute decision, but now there is no turning back, leaving him no other choice.

  ……

  Mian Pass is not built on a grand scale, and in terms of its layout, it's only equivalent to one of the fortified towns that were common in the Central Plains at that time.

  At this time, the sun was setting in the west and losing its heat. On the walls of Mianhua City, there were also lazy Burmese soldiers moving lazily.

  "Hey, it seems like the general is back with his troops." With a soldier's shout, more Burmese soldiers looked southward.

  "That's right, it's the general's flag."

  "The Mongols were defeated in one battle and were vanquished in less than a day."

  "Hey, I see them, the women in floral dresses in the group, they must be the captured prisoners." The Burmese soldier's voice suddenly became excited, pointing with his hand.

  "Tonight there's something fun, hurry up and open the city gate to welcome the general." Thinking of women, some Burmese soldiers have already rushed down to the foot of the city wall with great impatience.

  The troops wearing Burmese military uniforms are getting closer and closer, and indeed, there are many women being held in the middle of the team. However, the surrounding "Burmese soldiers" seem very dull, without any teasing or pleasure, not even speaking, one by one with a dirty face, marching silently, as if the long march had exhausted too much energy.

  As soon as the city gate opened, several Burmese soldiers came out with joy and laughter to welcome them, while the "Burmese army" that rushed to the city below did not say a word. The troops swarmed in, and after entering the city, they immediately dispersed. Some people and horses blocked the city gate, while others carried knives and swords and ran up to the city wall.

  "You——" The Burmese soldiers on the city wall were confused. The "friendly troops" who came running over seemed to have an ominous expression.

  Whoosh! A knife chopped over fiercely, the Burmese soldier's head fell off, blood gushed out high, and the headless corpse collapsed softly on the city wall.

  The other Burmese soldiers on the wall were shocked and didn't know what was happening. "Kill!" With a loud shout, the "Burmese soldier" who had climbed up the city wall suddenly waved his knife and gun, roaring towards the stunned defenders.

  At the city gate, Mangshan Kezu warriors were trampling on several Burmese soldiers' blood-soaked bodies, rushing in one after another. Xiang shook off his helmet, and his hair fluttered in the wind as he led over a hundred cavalrymen to gallop through the streets, charging forward and ruthlessly cutting down the Burmese soldiers along the way.

  "Kill!" The cry of killing spread quickly and soon filled the entire Mengguan.

  "The city has fallen, the Mangshan Kezu tribe has broken in." Everywhere was filled with the desperate and mournful cries of the Burmese soldiers, amidst the clashing of swords and the sound of wailing that never ceased.

  ……

  Deception tactics, this tactic is used on the Burmese people, isn't it a bit too advanced? The sense of accomplishment is not strong enough! Hmm, there's a bit of a "killing a chicken with a cow knife" meaning, a bit too bullying. However, this feeling, is quite good.

  Zhu Yongxing put on a suit of Ming armor with the help of Mengzhu, and walked around the house with a clanking sound. Mengzhu's eyes shone brightly again. The armor that Zhu Yongxing wore was naturally the best, but it was unknown which Ming general had left it behind when he followed Yongle into Myanmar, and it was seized by the Burmese border guard general, only to fall into Zhu Yongxing's hands now.

  Cool! Although there was no mirror to admire himself, Zhu Yongxing still came to this conclusion from Mengzhu's eyes. It was just a bit hot and a bit heavy, far less casual than the big pants, vest, and slippers.

  "Your Highness - Yingwu." In Mengzhu's eyes, her lover was perfect just the way he was, and this gleaming armor did indeed make him look even more dashing.

  "Hehe." Zhu Yongxing smiled awkwardly and said, "You should also go pick out a suit of armor that fits you well. Once we enter Yunnan Province, if you're always wearing ethnic clothing, it won't be convenient for you to stay by my side. After all, from now on there will be more and more Han people around me, so it's better to follow local customs."

  "I'd rather like the Han girls' clothing." Mengzhu was not too pleased with Zhu Yongxing's suggestion, and probably didn't like the cold armor either. "Since we're adapting to local customs, why not just become the prince's maid?"

  "It's beneath you to be a maid, and it would also lead your clan leader to misunderstand me as being neglectful of you." Zhu Yongxing shook his head, pondered for a moment, then smiled and said: "Alright, I'll give you an official title, that way it will be acceptable."