Chapter 28: The Official's Son

  "What official position? I'm a woman, isn't it inappropriate?" Mengzhu asked with blinking eyes.

  "This has nothing to do with men and women." Zhu Yongxing was not bound by conventions, at this point, what's the use of following rules, even imperial edicts were forged, what's the point of granting an official position? "Just make him the inner canon treasure, also serve as the book hall official, help me manage the inner treasury, and handle correspondence."

  "Neidianbao, and also Shutangguan." Mengzhu laughed happily, only hearing the two official positions made her happy, but she was completely unaware of the others.

  Silly girl, it's two official positions, but they're both subordinate officials within the vassal king's mansion. They even treat you like a female secretary. Zhu Yongxing felt slightly guilty, but then thought about it and realized that being a female secretary was a promising career. Once she rolled in the sheets with her big boss, she would become the noble queen consort.

  Soon, the female official Mengzhu had a chance to show off her skills. Cang gave Zhu Yongxing a batch of war trophies, a small box of gold and silver jewelry and a large box of Ming people's costumes, all of which were looted from the barbarian Mo Tu Fu. As the most powerful planner of the rebellion plan, it was said that it was a reward for meritorious service, or it could be said that it was bribery to win favor, anyway, Zhu Yongxing suddenly had a family fortune. And these valuables and costumes were taken over by Mengzhu with the power of internal treasure, and she took them away with relish.

  "Tomorrow, Your Highness can lead 2,000 strong men from the tribe to advance first and rush to Tongtieguan." Zong not only came to send treasures but also to discuss with Zhu Yongxing about the subsequent itinerary. Now that they have entered Yunnan Province, they should naturally follow Zhu Yongxing's lead. "The rest of the tribesmen are carrying heavy loads and advancing slowly, and can proceed along the Daying River after meeting up with the tribesmen who took the water route."

  Attack the barbarian Mo Tu Fu, then go down to Mian Guan, and capture a lot of Mengshan Ke Zu. Especially the grain and grass inside Mian Guan are enough to support the whole tribe for more than three months. However, this also brings transportation problems, and the whole tribe is moving with their families, so the speed of progress can't be faster.

  Zhu Yongxing nodded, although it was slightly different from the plan, but overall it had little impact. At Tiebian Pass, he might have to wait for some time, and if historical records were correct, he would have the opportunity to join forces with two branches of the Ming army. One branch was led by Gongchang Wang Bai Wenxuan, who came to Longchuan from Xueshan Pingyipan Cliff; the other branch was a joint force of Ming General Guangchang Hou Gao Wengu and Hairen Hou Wu Zisheng, who guarded Yongchang after participating in the Modanshan Battle.

  It is most likely that they will join forces with the Guangchang Marquis Gao Wengui and the Huairou Marquis Wu Zisheng, because historically, they would have followed the Yongli Emperor's route into Myanmar to rescue him, which is now the route taken by Zhu Yuxiang leading the Mangshan Ke ethnic group into Yunnan. Of course, with Zhu Yuxiang, a member of the royal family, left behind as a guardian, and with the forged imperial edict, Zhu Yuxiang still has control over preventing them from entering Myanmar to rescue the emperor.

  Three battles and three victories, although it was a prepared attack without preparation, and also used strategy, but the Měngshān Kèzú must have suffered casualties as well. Being able to bring out two thousand strong men is already using all their strength. Zhu Yǒngxīng didn't have any opinions on this either.

  "The Burmese will not react so quickly, and it won't matter if we delay for a couple of days." Zhu Yongxing gave Zhen Luan a relaxed timeline based on his own judgment.

  In the Mangshan dialect, "Yang" means boat. Zhu Yongxing sincerely admired this woman's bravery and tenacity. A woman who can be a village head must pay a higher price than men and should have equivalent intelligence and wisdom. However, Yang rarely showed this side in front of Zhu Yongxing, mostly showing him her brave and strong side.

  "Your Highness's analysis is correct." Zhong nodded in agreement, lightly took the reins, and opened up the road to Yunnan. The tension in her nerves seemed to ease a bit, and there was also a hint of femininity in her demeanor. "There's one more thing, that old eunuch, Your Highness isn't planning on bringing him along?"

  Zhao Guowei, Zhu Yongxing slightly furrowed his brow, pondered for a moment, then raised his head and said: "Bring him over, it's time to tell him the truth."

  He got up at the order of the leader, and then stopped in his tracks, lowering his voice to say: "The guards outside are loyal to Your Highness, with one command, they will follow without exception."

  Zhu Yongxing looked at Cang's expression, blinked a few times, and roughly understood her meaning. He nodded slightly to indicate that he understood in his heart.

  It was probably the people of the Mengshan Ke tribe who misunderstood, thinking that Eunuch Zhao Guowei was the emperor or a court official sent to monitor or suppress them, and were hinting that they could get rid of Zhao Guowei through the guards. Zhu Yongxing watched as Cang left, and couldn't help but smile wryly - this misunderstanding might also be his own doing. He had always been uneasy about Zhao Guowei, a former member of the palace staff, and didn't want to have too much contact with him. Plus, he was plotting with the Mengshan Ke tribe and had done some shady things himself, so temporarily isolating Zhao Guowei was an unavoidable measure.

  Now that the situation has been settled, it's time to bring Zhao Guo Wei in as a witness. Going alone to Myanmar and staying behind is not very convincing, having an eunuch by his side makes it more natural.

  "Your Highness, I've finally seen you again." Just as he was thinking this, Zhao Guo Wei had already been brought in, and the old eunuch rushed over, crying out.

  The eunuch's tears are really many! Zhu Yongxing looked at the old eunuch who was crying on the ground and couldn't help but curl his lips, lightly waving his hand to let the two strong men from the Mengshan Ke clan retreat.

  "Get up and speak, what's the point of crying and wiping away tears?" Zhu Yongxing had already thought out his words, but the old eunuch was coming at him with this again, which was somewhat unexpected.

  "Your Highness——" Zhao Guo Wei was like a wronged daughter-in-law, wiping away tears as she stood up. She swept her gaze around the room, seeing that there were no other people inside and that the fierce-looking Mangshan Kuizhou guards had left. She couldn't help but grit her teeth in anger, saying: "Barbarians, uncivilized barbarians, they really have no sense of propriety." After scolding them, the old man turned to Zhu Yongxing with a concerned expression, "Your Highness, you didn't suffer, did you? The barbarians didn't mistreat you, did they? This old slave is powerless, unable to protect Your Highness. It's a death sentence, a death sentence!"

  "I'm fine, don't blame yourself, sit down and talk!" Zhu Yongxing secretly shook his head. Not only did the old eunuch's address need to be careful, using "wu" instead of "I", but it was not as straightforward as talking to the fierce mountain Ke clan people. This old eunuch was too wordy.

  "Is there a seat for an old slave like me in front of Your Highness? I'm being killed, I'm being killed." Zhao Guo Wei seemed to have been pricked by a needle, and he repeatedly waved his hand, with a sincere and fearful look.

  Zhu Yongxing coughed lightly, unexpectedly finding it exhausting to say a few words. He didn't waste any more words and began to recount the events, of course, after processing and embellishing them with very few loopholes or flaws.

  "The Burmese arrested and executed the officials of our dynasty who were pursuing the fleeing emperor, confiscated their property, and killed them?" Zhao Guowei's eyes widened in surprise.