Chapter Nineteenth: The Oath of the Gu God

  "The journey is long and doesn't need to be said, the Mo family can occupy Gaoping, it's clear that their strength is not weak. Can our clan win against them? If not, can Your Highness invite the Ming army to assist in battle?" The corners of his mouth curled up, seemingly with a hint of mockery, his eyes cold and unfeeling, completely unlike his affection towards Mengzhu.

  "Gao Ping is a place for your clan to settle, and also the foundation for my Ming army's eastward advance." Zhu Yongxing was slightly surprised that Cang was speaking Han language, but he responded without showing weakness: "Moreover, the Mo family has occupied Gao Ping not because of their strong power, but because Zheng could not eliminate them. It is because the Mo family has been granted the title 'Annan Duhuashi' by Ming, and Zheng still fears the power of the great Ming, and is currently fighting against the Nguyen family, so they have not taken it yet. In fact, the Mo family's power has long since declined, and is no longer as strong as before."

  "How many troops can Your Highness mobilize?" Zhong didn't fall for Zhu Yongxing's eloquent words, but instead pressed on with his questioning.

  Zhu Yongxing hesitated for a moment, stretched out his finger and said very firmly: "At least five thousand."

  Lowering his eyelids, he fell into deep thought.

  "Your Highness, may I ask how to get out of Myanmar? And how to go to Haiphong in Annan? Traveling thousands of miles, how can we have a smooth journey?" An old man asked, stroking his beard.

  "First, attack the barbarian Mo Tu Fu, and get enough money and grain. Then we can split into two routes. The old and weak will take boats and rafts upstream, directly entering Yunnan Province." Zhu Yongxing took a sip of tea and continued: "The other route, mainly composed of young and strong men, will attack the Burmese border, capture the Ming army's armor and weapons inside the pass, and then raise the Ming army flags to advance. After merging with the other group, we will head towards Yongchang, and then follow the Yuanjiang River by land and water, directly entering Annan."

  When Yongli and the small court fled to Myanmar, they agreed to the request of "must release all armor and weapons before entering the pass". At that time, the guards and officials all removed their bows, knives, helmets, and armor, and piled up their equipment in front of the pass. They followed the emperor with bare hands. This self-disarming move made Zhu Yongxing look down on them and hold a grudge. The Mangshi people might be brave, but according to his observation, their weapons were simple. If they could obtain these military supplies and add them to the spoils of war from fighting against the Myanmar soldiers, it would greatly enhance their combat effectiveness. Moreover, flying the Ming army flag in Yunnan Province would reduce a lot of hostility from local chieftains and avoid many troubles.

  The Manmo Tusi and the Myanmar Tusi were in cahoots, extorting and plundering the Mangshan Ke people, leaving them without sufficient food and fodder. To solve this difficulty, they had to attack the Manmo Tusi's office, obtain enough money and grain, and then be able to migrate long distances. In short, this calamity was also brought upon themselves by the Manmo Tusi and the Myanmar Tusi, it can be said that they got what they deserved.

  "Attack where they are unprepared, and defeat them one by one. This plan is feasible." Da Wu spoke calmly, and since he proposed the difficult problem of the whole tribe migrating, Zhu Yongxing had some opinions about him, but didn't expect that he would be the first to express support.

  Si Wei pondered for a moment, then said: "This must be the best strategy at present. Your Highness carries the imperial bloodline of the Ming dynasty and has the duty of governing Yunnan, so you will not deceive with clever words."

  "What if it's a deceitful trick?" An old man with a very gloomy face did not hide his worries and said it straightforwardly.

  Zhu Yongxing listened to Ah Zhu's translation and couldn't help but frown slightly. This mutual trust issue was indeed a bit tricky to handle.

  "What advice does Master Shen have?" Si Wei asked the old man with great respect and a soft tone.

  "Let him swear to the Gu God, only then can we dispel our worries." The old man narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice: "If he dares not, we will make other plans for him."

  Zhu Yongxing readily agreed after hearing Mengzhu's account, and swore an oath. As a modern person, he didn't think it was too serious. However, Mengzhu looked terrified and uneasy, staring straight at him as if trying to change his mind.

  Before Zhu Yongxing could think carefully, the sinister old man had already stood up, took out a bamboo box with great care, his expression was very solemn, and he muttered something in his mouth. Then, he slowly handed the box to Zhu Yongxing's face, saying in a low voice: "Open the box, please make an oath to the Gu God!"

  At this time, Zhu Yongxing was a little hesitant. He had heard of the Miao people's Gu, which was very mysterious and terrifying. It was hard for him to imagine what kind of mysterious thing could be in the bamboo box that could use a person's mental changes or an oath to control life and death, making his heart tense as well.

  Never mind, I'm really willing to make a big deal out of it, and I'm not cheating you. Besides, where did the old man come from? Without mentioning how many vaccines were planted on his body, even the pesticide fertilizer residues, gutter oil, Sudan red and other toxins couldn't kill him. It's a bit exaggerated to say that he is immune to all poisons, but there's no need to be too afraid of these unscientific things, right?

  He vowed to vow, what's the big deal. After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Yongxing made up his mind, stretched out his hand and slowly opened the lid of the box, and immediately looked into the bamboo box.

  When he first looked, Zhu Yongxing's face relaxed because there was nothing in the bamboo box, it was empty! Zhu Yongxing looked at the sinister old man in front of him with a hint of surprise, and the old man raised his chin, saying in Mandarin with a short, powerful and awkward tone: "Take an oath."

  Alright, Zhu Yongxing scratched his head, raised his right hand, and recited the oath of not deceiving each other. Suddenly, a strong fragrance wafted in through his nostrils, leaving Zhu Yongxing stunned for a moment. Then, he also saw clearly that the box was not empty!

  At the bottom of the bamboo box, there was something moving, and that thing was alive! It was a dark red mass, its shape exactly like a human heart, its movement just like a heartbeat, and its color gradually changing from dark red to bright red, as if it were about to bleed.

  Due to the incredible scenery in front of him, Zhu Yongxing's eyes were wide open and he almost didn't blink. Then, he saw two very fine threads slowly emerging from inside, like a snake under the sound of a flute, twisting and dancing. He had never seen such a strange scene before and was completely stunned!

  The old man's face showed a look of astonishment, and he was stunned for a long time before muttering a few words.

  The clan leader thought that Wei was relieved of a heavy burden, and he also said to Zhu Yongxing with some joy: "Well, the Gu God has heard your oath and given you strength."

  Zhu Yongxing looked up at Si Wei in confusion, then lowered his head to look into the box again, but there was nothing inside. The box was empty, just like when he first opened it.

  The old man closed the lid of the box and carefully put it away with great care.

  "What is that?" Zhu Yongxing swallowed his saliva, with a look of shock and astonishment on his face.

  "What you see is what you get." Si Wei replied profoundly and mysteriously.

  "I saw it —" Zhu Yongxing hadn't finished speaking when Si Wei had already very seriously raised his hand to interrupt him.

  "It's unnecessary to say, no one knows what to say. " Si Wei shook his head repeatedly and said: "From now on, Your Highness' request is the requirement of our entire clan, and no one dares to disobey Your Highness' command. We will take our leave first to organize the people in our clan, please discuss with Da Wu."

  Oh, Zhu Yongxing shook his head, it was indeed a bit strange, but he quickly got rid of the distraction. After these people left, he handed over the most urgent matters to Da Wu.