Chapter Thirty-Five: A Joyful and Shocking Turn of Events

  In the current situation, as long as they don't become enemies, there's no need to force them to contribute to the war effort. Zhu Yongxing has a very open-minded view on this matter, and although he has close ties with Bao Bailong, he doesn't issue any forced commands. His own strength is still not powerful enough, and people haven't seen any hope of turning the tide of battle yet, so it's understandable that local officials are taking a neutral and wait-and-see attitude.

  The second day was a busy day for Zhu Yongxing, a day full of surprises, and a day when his strength increased. Reality and expectations always have their differences, and things don't always happen as one wishes, so it's inevitable to have ups and downs in emotions, with both joy and fear.

  Tengyue native Hu Zongyao, originally a jinshi in the seventh year of Chongzhen, had served as Taichang Boshi and Taipusi Temple Minister. Due to his father's death, he returned to his hometown, only to encounter the downfall of the Ming dynasty, with war raging across the land, leaving him stranded at home. Upon hearing that the Qing army was approaching, he took his family and dozens of servants and fled to the border region.

  Yang Guoxiong, a native of Yongchang, was the grandson of Yang Mian, a great general who had suppressed the rebellion of the Tusi and Burmese bandits during the Yongle period. He later settled in Yongchang. When Emperor Yongli fled to Burma from Yongchang, he dispersed his family's wealth, recruited local villagers and organized a righteous army. After being defeated by the Qing army, he escaped to the territory of the Pan Da Tusi.

  These two were the leaders of nearly ten thousand refugees gathered in Bandha, who were worried about food shortages and frequent conflicts between refugees and indigenous people, and did not know what to do. When a messenger arrived, it was like a long drought meeting a refreshing rain, and all difficulties were resolved. The two were overjoyed and immediately brought a small entourage to pay their respects.

  "Your Highness is only acting as regent, but has no responsibility to comfort the troops? However, it doesn't matter." Hu Zongyao's seemingly careless words made Zhu Yongxing's heart tremble with fear, and he realized that he still had an oversight.

  Regent focuses on political affairs, if added with the two words "Fu Jun", then both military and politics are taken into account, can be compared to Li Jinwang who holds the yellow whip, even surpassing him. After all, it is still not enough to understand ancient knowledge deeply, and many people in ancient times may not be clear about the difference here, Hu Zongyao is indeed a scholar, white beard also understands thoroughly!

  The mistake can no longer be made up for, unless the people in front of me are killed and a fake imperial edict is forged, but the message that has been spread out before cannot be changed, and I also cannot bear to do such a cruel thing.

  Zhu Yongxing immediately shook off the dark idea of killing and silencing, and quickly calmed down. Next was to praise Hu Zongyao and Yang Guoqian, and gave them official positions, indicating that he had discussed with Baidi Longwang and would try his best to supply food, and hoped that they could comfort and organize the refugees well, and try not to have unpleasantness with the local Dai people.

  Yang Guoxiong had both rewards and solved the current difficulties, young people were overjoyed and couldn't help but show their delight.

  Hu Zongyao, with a serious and solemn expression, thought for a long time before speaking without worry: "Your Highness has made such a big show of entering Yunnan from Burma, although it boosts the morale of the people and soldiers, but it also makes it easy to become the target of the Qing army. Yongchang is stationed with a large number of Qing troops, so we must be cautious! I heard that Li Jinwang retreated to Menggen, and Gongchang Wang went to Mubang, why not lead the troops to join forces with the two vassals, unite the armies, and enhance our prestige?"

  Mental state changes with the weighing of deep thought, Zhu Yongxing now thinks that surrendering to King Jin Li Dingguo is not a good strategy, and surrendering to Bai Wenxuan is also not what Zhu Yongxing wants. The two kings are loyal, but they are loyal to Yongli, loyal to the small court, and put the anti-Qing cause after the emperor and the small court. History has made it clear that since Yongli entered Myanmar, the former famous generals have put all their thoughts on how to ensure the safety of the emperor, wandering around the border between Yunnan and Myanmar, and no longer having the ambition to revive the king's dominance.

  Moreover, anyone with real ability has a stubborn side, always thinking that their judgment and decision-making are correct. The King of Jin and Bai Wenzhong belong to this category. Although Zhu Yongxing is noble in status and has forged imperial edicts, if he wants to command the two famous generals and their subordinates, it's unlikely to be smooth sailing. The most likely outcome is that they will be well-protected by the two kings, with courtesy and etiquette but no room for further action.

  If the wheels of history continue to follow their original trajectory, it will only be a matter of two or three years before they succumb to a fate of national destruction. If Zhu Yongxing wants to achieve something, if he wants to turn the tide and hold up the sky with his own hands, then he must use his own abilities to forge a different path.

  "Hu Zhizhou——" Zhu Yongxing called out Hu Zongyao's new official title, one word at a time. This was undoubtedly a veiled reminder. "Menggen and Mubang are both remote places, near the Burmese border. If I were to go there to join you, why would I have to leave Burma and enter danger? If it's just about avoiding the enemy and fleeing, only worrying about personal safety, how can we revive the Ming dynasty?"

  The words were spoken with great righteousness, revealing Zhu Yongxing's fearless determination while concealing his true intentions, earning the admiration of all. Creating an image of a noble scion with grandeur, boldness, and a sense of responsibility to revive the Ming dynasty was the most compelling way to rally heroes at this time.

  "Your Highness is majestic and martial, this is the good fortune of the great Ming dynasty and the blessing of the people." Yang Guoqian was very excited and inspired, he stood up and bowed, saying: "The Qing army has poisoned the land, the people are all gnashing their teeth in hatred, wherever the king's flag goes, they will surely follow with hope. With such momentum, how can it be difficult to recover the lost territories?"

  Exaggerated, oversimplified. Zhu Yongxing smiled, but secretly shook his head. The scenery is beautiful, the history books are endless, but what about reality? It's just self-consolation, don't rely on it to take action. Just like the fictional "King Ba" spirit, where a group of younger brothers worship and surrender, it's an illusion.

  "Strategically, we despise the Qing army because of its cruelty and tyranny, which has lost the hearts of the people; tactically, we attach importance to the Qing army because of its ferocity and combat effectiveness, and we cannot underestimate it." Zhu Yongxing rephrased the classic words of later generations, also with great effect: "I will lead the army northward, first take Tengchong, and then make long-term plans. I hope you gentlemen will assist me."

  "I, your humble servant (the lowest-ranking general), dare not die without exhausting all efforts to repay Your Highness and assist you in supporting the state."

  Die for the country, support the society, shouldn't this be a common saying? How come after discussing, everyone says it in unison? Zhu Yongxing gets up to help, still feeling puzzled in his heart.

  It was a pleasant surprise to have found help again. However, this joy only lasted for half a day, and news that made Zhu Yongxing feel conflicted, both worried and happy, arrived.

  "Is the only one with troops and horses, Wu Zisheng, the Marquis of Huairou?" Zhu Yongxing furrowed his brow again, asking Yi Cheng to confirm the accuracy of this news. "What about Gao Wenguang, the Marquis of Guangchang? Where is he with his troops?"

  "The news of Marquis Guangchang Gao Wengui has not arrived yet, and the situation of other Ming army generals is also unclear. I have failed in my duty and disappointed Your Highness." Yi Cheng bowed his head to apologize.

  Zhu Yongxing gently shook his head, patted Yi Cheng's arm and said magnanimously: "This is not your fault at all, I was too impatient. I just arranged to investigate the specific personnel, the mountain is high and the road is far, how can there be news so quickly?"