Chapter 33: The Idea of Fighting Against the Enemy

  "Come on, let's go out for a walk and digest our food." Zhu Yongxing stretched out his hand to Mengzhu, who was sitting in the chair, dozing off.

  Zheng Yanbei made a thoughtful visit this time, not only presenting two maidservants but also bringing a master chef to prepare a sumptuous banquet for the imperial relatives. The dishes were exquisite and delicious, making Mengzhu, who had never left her village before, eat with great relish, and even Zhu Yongxing felt stuffed.

  Mengzhu smiled and handed her small hand over to Zhu Yongxing, walking slowly with him out of the hall.

  The moonlight was like water, and the night wind brushed against his face. Zhu Yongxing's mind gradually cleared up as he walked slowly, and the slight dizziness brought by drinking had disappeared without a trace.

  No wonder Daxi was not embarrassed about his previous arrangements, it turned out that he had a connection with such a vast and powerful family. The various doubts were gradually dispelled, and Zhu Yongxing felt extremely fortunate, as if he had inadvertently won the favor of the goddess of luck. Perhaps this was the golden finger given by heaven, the cheating weapon that every traverser should have.

  "Oh God, grant me an armored legion!" Zhu Yongxing suddenly had such a ridiculous idea, and couldn't help but gaze at the moon in silence, praying that when he opened his eyes tomorrow, he would obtain it, and then he could sweep across the land...

  "Your Highness, the moon is beautiful tonight." Mengzhu said beside him, interrupting Zhu Yongxing's devout prayer. "If it were Mid-Autumn Festival night, all men and women of our clan would gather together after dinner, go to the open space in the mountains and forests, sing and dance, and hold a 'jumping moon' activity."

  "Singing and dancing is great, you're having a wonderful holiday." Zhu Yongxing smiled slightly, thinking of something, and asked strangely: "The two maidservants sent by the Zheng family, I didn't want them, why did you accept them?"

  "You didn't say I'm a princess, don't princesses have maidservants?" Mengzhu mischievously blinked her big eyes and then smiled, saying: "A Han girl, staying by my side can teach me many Han customs and etiquette, so that in the future I won't be ridiculed and lose face for the emperor."

  Zhu Yongxing nodded slightly, originally having such thoughts in mind. He still had to remind him, "The rules and customs of the Han family are not all good, you must have some discernment. Fortunately, they all have big feet, presumably they won't persuade you to bind your feet."

  "Is it true that Your Highness said three-inch golden lotus is ugly?" Mengzhu asked in doubt: "Isn't it beautiful? Many poems are praising it!"

  "Natural beauty is the best, and such ugly customs of self-mutilation should be eliminated." Zhu Yongxing furrowed his brow, clearly extremely disgusted with this habit of mutilating women.

  "Oh, Mengzhu made a mental note and asked with some concern: 'According to Zheng Yanbei's words, Yongchang has already been occupied by the Qing army. Our tribe is along the Yuanjiang River, I'm afraid it's impassable now?'"

  "This is indeed a bit unexpected." Zhu Yongxing pondered for a moment, smiling reassuringly: "We can only take more land routes, gather at Yuanjiang again, and then go downstream."

  Mengzhu thought for a moment and could only do so. Although it deviated from the original plan, there was no significant impact.

  "In fact, I have another plan, but it's a bit adventurous and not very mature." Zhu Yongxing hesitated, thinking aloud: "The Qing army occupies the key areas of Yunnan Province, cutting off the remaining Ming army units. The remaining Ming army units are scattered in the western border areas of Yunnan, lacking food and grass, plagued by malaria and epidemics, and unsure where to retreat to settle down? After a long period of hardship, they will inevitably surrender to the Qing."

  "Is Your Highness going to fight the Qing army?" Mengzhu guessed and asked: "The closest one from here should be Yongchang. At the banquet, Your Highness also asked about this place in detail. But Zheng Yanbei said that the Qing army returned to Kunming, but also left behind General Zhang Yong with his elite troops to garrison Yongchang. With only our tribe's military strength, I'm afraid it will be difficult to win!"

  "I certainly won't take risks and even more won't sacrifice the lives of your people for nothing." Zhu Yongxing gently squeezed Mengzhu's small hand to comfort her, hesitated for a moment, and continued: "Let's wait and see how many Ming army troops can gather here before making plans."

  "I'm not stingy with people's lives, I don't want to go to war for Your Highness, it's just—" Mengzhu hurriedly explained, apparently worried that Zhu Yongxing would misunderstand.

  "Just want to plan before acting, can't be rash. Zhu Yongxing smiled and nodded, saying: "Sacrifices should also have value, do you think I'm that kind of reckless person? I won't do things like hitting a stone with an egg."

  Mengzhu smiled and said: "Congratulations to Your Highness, with the help of the Zheng family, it's like a fierce tiger adding wings, you can soar across the four seas."

  Indeed, there is such a feeling! Zhu Yongxing smiled and had the help of Zheng's family, which could undertake multiple tasks, making his plan unfold quite smoothly, and his mind was relieved. However, the idea of emerging to fight against the Qing army has been lingering in his mind, and it is difficult to completely abandon it.

  After strolling and chatting with Mengzhu for a while, Zhu Yongxing sent her to rest in the house, but he himself couldn't fall asleep. He sat at his desk, staring intently at the map, deep in thought.

  The Qing army mainly marched back to Kunming via Yongchang, Dali and Yao'an, but left famous generals and elite soldiers in Yongchang, with the obvious intention of dividing and suppressing the defeated Southern Ming army that had retreated to the border areas.

  At this time, the remaining Southern Ming army still had a considerable number of troops. In addition to those in Yunlong State, Shun'ning Prefecture, Lancang, and Lijiang, there were also Li Dingguo, Bai Wenxuan, Qi Sanxing, Gao Wengui, Jing Tongwu, Yang Wu, Liang Jie, Wu Zisheng, Wu Sansheng, Guo Shangxian, Wang Guoxun and other forces in the western border areas of Yunnan. If they could be gathered together, it would also be a considerable force.

  Unfortunately, these Ming troops lost contact with each other and were scattered in remote border areas, facing difficulties such as miasma, epidemics, and insufficient supplies. In the end, they had no choice but to surrender to the Qing. To be honest, Zhu Yongxing could understand their inner struggles and torments, but this did not mean that he would sit back and watch it happen.

  The Emperor entered Burma, the famous general was defeated. It is indeed a disheartening scene that can crush many people's will to carry on. But if one can see a glimmer of hope in the dark despair, even if it's as small as a bean, wouldn't it rekindle the hope in people's hearts?

  Zhu Yongxing narrowed his eyes slightly, and the focus of his gaze was still on the position of Yongchang (now Baoshan). If he could fight a battle here, it would be best to capture Yongchang, then the connection between western Yunnan and southwestern Yunnan would be unobstructed, without having to take the long and dangerous road. This way, not only would more remaining Ming troops have a target for gathering, but it would also have a huge political impact.

  Moreover, this move not only greatly boosted people's confidence but also effectively curbed the wave of surrender that was about to appear soon. In Yunnan Province, where there are many ethnic groups and tusi (local chieftains) everywhere, it showed that the Southern Ming army still had combat effectiveness, which has practical and far-reaching significance. Because these local forces, except for a few people, their loyalty to the imperial court changes with the situation, they have to consider more about their own interests and those of their ethnic group.