Chapter Thirteen: The Imperial Clan Remains Behind

  Yongli listened to the report, but didn't take it as anything important. He wasn't even interested in Zhu Yunxing's solemn oath and his infatuation with the beauty. The foolish man only gave a brief evaluation of Zhu Yunxing, just four words: "A madman speaking nonsense."

  "Everyone has their own aspirations, no need to force them. He can indulge in beauty and linger in the barbarian village, or follow Jin Wang to resist the Qing dynasty, let him go! " Yongli said lightly: "Ladies and gentlemen, what do you think?"

  Mu Tianbo was one of the more intelligent among the civil and military officials who followed the emperor. As soon as they arrived in Burma, he, together with Huating Marquis Wang Wei and Eastern Palace Keeper Li Chongshi, proposed a suggestion after discussion: to divide the civil and military officers into two parts before entering Myanmar deeply, one part following Yongli Emperor into Myanmar, and the other part protecting the crown prince and joining forces with Li Dingguo's troops.

  In this way, the small court in Myanmar also had external support to rely on. Even if the Burmese people rebelled repeatedly, the emperor and the crown prince would not be left without a single soldier. The Yongli Emperor thought that this suggestion made sense and could be considered. However, Empress Wang, the queen, couldn't bear to part with her beloved son and insisted on not leaving, so this proposal was finally abandoned. It can be seen that sometimes overindulgence can also lead to disaster.

  "Your Majesty, I think that since the Crown Prince has the intention of entering Yunnan to resist the Qing, it would be better not to..." Mu Tianbo had not given up on his previous suggestion being rejected, and taking advantage of this opportunity, he brought up old matters again, hoping to separate the Emperor and the Crown Prince, as a double insurance.

  Yongli shook his head repeatedly and said: "The Empress Dowager is deeply attached to her son, she will definitely not agree. Mu Ai, this matter does not need to be mentioned again."

  Muyinbo silently sighed, pondered for a moment, and said: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince of Min has a request to enter Yunnan from Myanmar, but it's not legitimate or reasonable, how can this be accomplished?"

  Yong Li thought for a moment and perfunctorily said, "The King of Min is trapped in the chaos of war, his life or death still unknown. The Crown Prince of Min cannot temporarily inherit the title, but I don't know what kind of name would be suitable for him. Just don't let the King of Jin suspect that the imperial court has any intention of blaming him!"

  It can be small but not big, it can be false but not real, and it cannot involve military power, so as to avoid making King Li Dingguo of Jin suspicious that the imperial court wants to divide his power and take away his troops. This is what Yongli's words mean.

  "Your Majesty, I think it's possible to grant the title of 'Defender' to the son of the Marquis of Ning. The marquises and below can be promoted in a simplified manner, and then recognized by the court later, to commend the merits of the anti-Qing martyrs."

  Yongli furrowed his brow, looking at Ma Jixiang with suspicion, thinking to himself: This guy, I've long wanted to kill him, but he's cleverly won over Li Dingguo and is using the prestige of the Jin King to coerce me. Now that he's in charge of the Brocade Guard, I'll have to rely on him even more in the future, so it's not good to scold him harshly. But what does this guy mean by these words?

  Ma Ji smiled faintly and said, "Your Majesty is on a hunting trip in Myanmar, but the world accuses Your Majesty of abandoning the country. It's really hateful! Now, issuing an edict to let the Crown Prince enter Yunnan with the honor of the imperial family and the name of guardian, can first dispel the rumors that Your Majesty abandoned the country by entering Myanmar; secondly, it can comfort the hearts of the anti-Qing generals and soldiers; thirdly, it will not cut off the hopes of China and abroad, and will not give the Qing people a handle to mock."

  Mu Tianbo gave Maji Xiang a deep look, furrowed his brow, but opened his mouth and forced back the words with a bitter smile.

  Ma Ji Xiang's words were grand and flawless, with three reasons that couldn't be criticized. However, Mu Tianbo knew that the third reason was what Ma Ji Xiang truly thought in his heart. The talk about not disappointing the hopes of all nations and not giving the Qing people a laughingstock was actually just an excuse to push out a scapegoat and shift the focus of the Qing army's attention, so they wouldn't be pursued relentlessly.

  Regent, also known as guardian or custodian, but in reality there are differences between them. At the beginning of Zhu Yuanzhang's reign, the system of emperor's tour and crown prince's regency had already been established. At that time, there was also a custom for imperial clansmen or high-ranking officials to stay behind and guard, but these two were obviously not on the same level. Under normal circumstances, for the Ming dynasty which strictly followed the eldest son inheritance system, it was difficult for vassal kings to get involved in imperial power, so they would not be granted actual power when guarding or staying behind.

  That is to say, the defender is a seemingly honorable name. In Ma Zhiyuan's view, it is just a small trick to add some political weight to the target that was pushed out, which does not affect the authority of the emperor and the court, but can shift the vision of the Qing army.

  Yongli naturally heard the true meaning of Maji Xiang's words, and after a moment of contemplation, he nodded slightly in agreement. The emperor abandoning his country, with no hope of revival, did Yongli know or not that his escape to Burma was wrong, and would have a very unfavorable impact on the domestic resistance against the Qing army? He certainly knew, but he had already lost his nerve, and even though he knew it was wrong, he refused to turn back. Now issuing an edict for Mishi Zisun to enter Yunnan to guard, more or less made up for Yongli's shame towards the anti-Qing generals.

  As for granting titles of nobility below the rank of marquis to Shi Zhi, it's not a particularly impressive power. Granting official positions and conferring noble titles were nothing special in the late days of this imperial court. Among the Southern Ming generals, there were plenty of dukes, marquises, and earls, each with their own "noble" identity. Moreover, based on Shi Zhi's understanding, from Yongli to Mu Tianbo and Ma Jixiang, none of them considered him material for a king or overlord, let alone a threat to the emperor and the court.

  The discussion has been decided, and the eunuchs who will deliver the imperial edict have been chosen. Shu Tianbo and Ma Jixiang took their leave and dispersed. No one expected that this would give Zhu Yongxing an opportunity to wreak havoc, which later became a huge mistake that they regretted.

  ……

  "Your Highness——" Eunuch Di Guozhen finished reading the imperial edict and presenting the gifts, seeing that Zhu Yongxing had no reaction, he hastily reminded him in a low voice.

  Ah, oh, Zhu Yongxing blinked his eyes, feeling that he should make a gesture, and hastily stretched out his hand to receive the imperial edict, saying: "Your subject receives the decree with gratitude!"

  Di Guozhen's expression was somewhat strange, the imperial edict in his hand had already been taken away by Zhu Yongxing. He forced a smile, but didn't want to pursue Zhu Yongxing's breach of etiquette. What's the point? This errand is considered finished, hurry back, if he returns late, people will have set sail and left, who would wait for him?

  Was it wrong? Or was it taught wrongly in movies and TV shows? Zhu Yongxing looked up at Di Guozhen, whose old face was twisted. What does he care about, his father had already given him a huge favor by kneeling down, what else did he want?

  "This is what Mo Guo Gong let Zajiajia hand over to you." Di Guozhen handed another small package to Zhu Yongxing, then hastily bid farewell.

  Afraid of being left behind? Zhu Yongxing watched Zhai Guozhen's departing figure, disdainfully curled his lip, and sat down on the rattan chair with a plop, fiddling with the imperial edict, lost in thought.

  Give a name to stay behind, want to let Laozi go to the top of the jar, and attract the attention of the Qing army. Unfortunately, whether or not to give this name, Laozi also has to be the scapegoat! Zhu Yongxing smiled bitterly, rummaged through the rewards, and his eyes slowly narrowed.