Chapter 38: The Three Masters Meet

  Ancient people, of course, did not know that the maggots born on the surface of the wound would not only not aggravate the infection but also be beneficial to healing. And Zhu Yongxing would not wait for the wounded soldiers' infected wounds to naturally produce maggots, he had his simple method of raising maggots, which was to imitate the way of making "meat buds" in the south.

  The dish sounds disgusting and looks disgusting, but it is a high-protein food that is very nutritious. It's said to be delicious too, but Zhu Yongxing hasn't had the courage to try it yet. The method of making this dish is to hang meat with seasonings in a place where flies can lay eggs on it, and when the maggots are big enough, they fall into a bag hung under the meat, which is called "flesh bud dish".

  Later researchers have found that maggots can clean large wounds faster than surgery; the secretions of the maggots can also dissolve unhealthy or dead tissue, while leaving healthy tissue intact; maggots can remove bacteria from the wound surface and stimulate healing...

  Don't look at the slogans, look at the efficacy. Zhu Yongxing doesn't need to explain, and even if he does, it's hard to make clear. Using the name of heaven or divine will only make people believe more easily and produce a sense of awe.

  Mandate of Heaven, vital energy, ancient people often used similar illusory things to explain the rise and fall of a country. Therefore, Zhu Yigui's pretence was not just to enhance his personal prestige, but more importantly to boost people's confidence in continuing to fight against the Qing dynasty.

  Ming Shuo has not been cut off, the number of Qi has not been exhausted, and the heavens have bestowed the method of medical treatment. This will inevitably produce a great political impact. After spreading, the influence is no longer limited to these few thousand people around. Moreover, rumors have always had the characteristic of artistic re-processing and sublimation. Zhu Yongxing did not dare to imagine what it would eventually become.

  …………

  Previously small maggots, after gorging on the festering wound, have grown much larger. With nothing left to eat, some of the maggots have begun to crawl outwards.

  The doctor brushed away the flies, examined the wounded man and then reported to Chen Yi-yao with a strange expression: "General, his fever is subsiding. Judging from this situation, there's no danger to his life for now. The other wounded men are also recovering well. Shall I take you to see them?"

  From astonishment to suspicion, and then in the face of facts, Zhu Yongxing admired him with all his might, actively promoting maggot therapy in the military camp. The attitude of this medical officer was seen by Chen Yiying. He shook his head slightly, indicating that it was not necessary, and turned around and walked out of the tent.

  He raised his hand to block the dazzling sunlight, and Chen Yi saw his old superior, Wu Zisheng, Marquis Huairou, standing in a thatched hut with his hands behind his back, slowly circling something.

  "Nice to meet you, Master Hou." Chen Yiyao walked into the thatched hut and paid his respects to Wu Zisheng.

  Wu Zisheng waved his hand, his eyes still fixed on the meat hanging in the thatched hut, where small flies were already buzzing around. He seemed to have gotten used to it and was no longer pale with disgust.

  "You say, this little thing, originally disgusting people crawling in and out of the toilet pit, changed to a different way of raising, can actually heal wounds and save people." Wu Zisheng frowned and squinted, not knowing whether it was admiration or still disbelief, just didn't want to mention the name "maggot", using "little thing" as a substitute.

  "Your Highness once said that the things on top will fall off when they get fat, and it's a great tonic!" Chen Yi Yao suddenly looked bitter, as if he had really eaten meat into his mouth, shaking his head repeatedly. "That... what high egg, high protein, Your Highness seemed to call it that."

  "We can't afford it, people like us definitely don't have the good fortune to enjoy it." Wu Zisheng waved his hand repeatedly and sighed bitterly.

  Chen Yiyao accompanied him for a while, probing and asking: "I heard that Zhang Guangcai and Chen Sheng will set out with their troops tomorrow to meet with the prince in Tengchong?"

  Wu Zisheng nodded and said with a hint of sarcasm: "The two generals are afraid that they will be late in surrendering, so they're trying to curry favor!"

  Chen Yiyao hesitated for a moment before speaking: "The prince has been in Tengchong City for over ten days, and also has the Guangchang Marquis Gao Wenguang and the Ding Shuo General Wu Sanjing leading troops to meet up. The military strength is growing daily, seemingly with the intention of engaging in battle with the Qing army."

  "The troops are slightly stronger than before." Wu Zisheng sighed and said with some worry, "Your Highness has been instructed by the gods and it's not an empty word. However, being young and vigorous, eager to engage in battle, you can't help but be a bit impatient. Having stayed in Tengchong for a long time, raising the king's flag and issuing proclamations, isn't that just attracting the attention of the Qing army? I'm afraid the current Yongchang Qing army is already planning and preparing, and will soon lead their troops to come."

  Chen Yiying fell silent for a moment, then ventured to say: "If Li Jinwang and Gong Changwang come upon hearing the edict, or if other friendly armies arrive to join forces, it's not necessarily impossible that we can still put up a fight."

  "Your Highness did not go south to join forces with the two vassals of Jin and Gong, how would you know that they are in a hurry to summon each other?" Wu Zisheng stroked his chin whiskers, furrowed his brow and said: "What Your Highness is planning is very profound, it's not something we can understand. Never mind, at most it will be one fierce battle, Your Highness has thousands of barbarian soldiers, plus the troops that have joined forces with you, and also have the advantage of being well-rested while the enemy is exhausted. If the Qing army comes from afar to attack, their numbers are not many, it's not necessarily impossible to win. Tomorrow, we will also rise up in arms and head north, to lend an arm to assist Your Highness."

  ……

  Pursuit and escape seem like one is active, the other passive, but if analyzed objectively, it can be found that both may be equally arduous. It's just that the escaping side is flustered and has no time to think about these things, so there is no thought of stopping to counterattack.

  After seeing the difficult situation of Wu Zisong's troops, Zhu Yongxing had new thoughts and judgments, and his confidence was further boosted. The Southern Ming army had been stationed in Yunnan and Guangxi for several years and still could not fully adapt to the local climate and effectively defend against malaria, let alone the Qing army who came from afar and entered the hot and humid southeastern region for the first time? Historical records only briefly mention that the Qing army was not adapted to the local climate, but did not explicitly state the severity of the situation. Just like historical records say that the Ming army lost the battle of Modao Mountain, but rarely mention that the Qing army also suffered heavy casualties.

  This is the result of the Qing dynasty's destruction of books and forgery of history, covering up defeats as victories, only talking about the results of war, and rarely mentioning losses. Zhu Yongxing, based on his own observations and analysis, should be said to have reached a relatively accurate conclusion, which is undoubtedly the reason for the surge in confidence.

  "Hundreds of grasses sprout, the miasma intensifies daily. The Qing army in Kunming plans to launch a large-scale expedition beyond the border, but it's extremely difficult." Standing atop the ancient city wall of Tengchong, Zhu Yongxing was analyzing the situation with Guangchang Marquis Gao Wenguang and Ding Shuo General Wu Sanxiang, making his own judgment. "If we wait for the frost to descend and the miasma to dissipate before sending out troops, I fear that our forces will gather together in one place, becoming too powerful to control. The quickest solution is to have the Qing army from Yongchang take action nearby, launching a swift and decisive attack."

  "Your Highness has raised the royal flag here, it turns out that you want to lure the Qing army to attack." General Wu Sansheng of Ding Shuo made a sudden realization and immediately cautiously advised: "The Qing army in Yongchang is nearly 10,000 strong, and those who come to attack will not be less than 6,000 or 7,000 people. We are all remnants of the defeated army, and we still need time to rest and regroup. Although there are barbarian soldiers to help fight, they are not familiar with battle formations, Your Highness should be cautious."

  "If we defend the city firmly, there is still a chance of success." The Marquis of Guangchang, Gao Wengui, patted the thick city wall and expressed his opinion, "The Qing army has come from afar, their supply line is long, if they cannot take the city after a prolonged attack, they will naturally retreat."

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