Chapter 58: Newly Appointed King of Xīn Jìn

  Dianxi North, Jianchuan.

  As early as over 2000 years ago during the Qin and Han dynasties, Jianchuan had already become an important transportation hub on the "Shu Body Poison Road" and "Tea-Horse Ancient Road" of the Southern Silk Road, and had trade and cultural exchanges with the Central Plains, Southeast Asia, and Central and Western Asia. From the Yuan Dynasty onwards, Jianchuan's literary style flourished, and during the Ming and Qing dynasties, education prospered, with scholars emerging one after another, making it a leading figure in Yunnan.

  Shibao Mountain in Jianchuan County is a Danxia landform, with spherical weathered stones forming strange peaks and rocks resembling bells, arrows, lions and elephants. The taller ones form cliffs, scattered and arranged in a unique way. Here, the trees are lush, the stones are interesting, the temples are unique and the scenery is special, especially the stone caves and cliff carvings that have been famous for a long time.

  "Congratulations, Brother Ma. Ah, I should be addressing you as Your Highness, Duke of Yuyang." The Prince of Xuguo, Ma Wei Xing, congratulated Ma Bao with a smile, but his words carried a hint of sourness.

  "Don't make fun of me, you and I are like brothers, what's the point of being so formal?" Ma Bao lightly waved his hand, only giving a faint smile, without much joy on his face. Instead, he turned to Zheng Zhaoren and asked: "How many troops does General Wen have now, daring to fight against the Qing army?"

  "Previously, there were Huairou Hou Wu Zisheng, Guangchang Hou Gao Wengu, Ding Shuo General Wu Sanjing, and the two generals Zhang Wencui and Chen Sheng under the command of Zhao Wang's general, as well as more than 10,000 strong Mengshan Kezu people from Myanmar who entered Yunnan. There were also officials from Gan Yan and their families who assisted. Zheng Zhaoren was obviously exaggerating Zhu Yongxing's strength, "When I arrived, there were over 20,000 soldiers gathered under the king's flag, and now it's hard to say how many more Ming troops will come to join forces!"

  Zheng Zhaoren is the nephew of Zheng Yanbei. Although he is not from the main branch of the Zheng family, despite being the oldest among his peers and being very capable and strong, and in charge of a significant portion of the family business, he always feels discriminated against. Of course, this is a normal phenomenon in feudal society families, where the eldest son holds the most power and benefits.

  So, after receiving Zheng Yanbei's order to disperse the Ming army, he saw it as an opportunity for advancement. If he could persuade a few branches of the Ming army to surrender and serve the imperial court, getting a high-ranking official position shouldn't be a problem, right? He would also be able to break free from his family's constraints and have a broader stage to showcase his talents. In the future, if he did well, surpassing Zheng Shaoda, the head of the Zheng family, wasn't impossible either.

  Ma Wei Xing slightly nodded and interjected, "I heard from merchants coming from Dali that the Qing army is mobilizing, I suppose it has something to do with General Min?"

  "Dali's Qing army has dispatched a unit to Yongchang, leaving behind less than 2,000 troops." Zheng Zhaoren's intelligence was even more accurate, which had much to do with the numerous ears and eyes of the Zheng family and their familiarity with the roads. "The Qing army in Yongchang is also running low, and they have all retreated back to defend the city."

  "Even so, relying on the current exhausted army, it's hard to break through the pass and capture the strategic points. Moreover, the journey is long, and going to Tengchong and meeting up with Meng Huo is not an easy task!" Ma Bao's face turned gloomy, and he shook his head slightly.

  "To build a career and gain official rank, is it an easy thing?" Zheng Zhaoren's face wore the kind of smile unique to merchants as he spoke fluently: "It's difficult to rush through the passes and take a shortcut. However, I can send someone to guide you along the way down the Chishui River to meet with Lord Min. Of course, if Your Highness still has doubts, I wouldn't dare force it. Lord Min told all the messengers to bring a message to the generals who are still holding up the great banner of the Ming dynasty: 'If you have the heart to protect the country and restore the glory of China, then even difficulties and dangers are nothing; if you only care about wealth and power in front of your eyes, and want to surrender to the Qing and go to Kunming to kneel before the three ghosts, then I'm afraid you wouldn't be afraid of a thousand miles of travel either'."

  "How dare you, a mere commoner!" Ma Bao was furious and shouted out, but was immediately cut off by Ma Wei Xing's raised hand.

  "Your Highness is being overly cautious and speaking too heavily." Ma Wei Xing smiled lightly and said, "Long-distance military campaigns are not easy tasks, we must plan carefully to ensure stability, it's not that we have the intention of surrendering to the Qing, using excuses to decline."

  Zheng Zhaoren was not convinced in his heart, but for the sake of making a name for himself, he could also put life and death aside. Fu Gui sought fortune in danger, and there was still the adventurous spirit of the horse team on his body. But since Ma Wei Xing said so, he no longer used words to provoke and test him, and smiled: "The humble subject is just passing on the words of the King of Min, not intentionally offending, please forgive me, Your Highness."

  Ma Bao let out a sigh and turned his back, gazing at the distant blue sky, white clouds, and mountain forests, lost in thought.

  "The news has already been spread, please Your Highness and the Duke make a decision as soon as possible." Zheng Zhaoren's eyes rolled around, continuing to say: "Heqing has General Ta Xin's new strategy, Lijiang has Han Yang Wang Ma Jinzhong, and Lanping (now in Yunnan Province) has Gong'an Bo and Yi Chuan Bo leading the troops. The humble subject has already sent messengers, I suppose someone will soon be heading to Tengchong. The humble subject needs to plan assistance from within, dare not delay here any longer."

  Ma Bao's heart moved slightly, and he subtly turned his head, casting a glance at Ma Wei Xing.

  Ma Wei Xing nodded in agreement and smiled at Zheng Zhao Ren, saying: "Zheng Xin Shi has traveled a long way, please go down and rest for a while, let me discuss with the king."

  "The humble subject takes his leave." Zheng Zhaoren bowed respectfully and then turned around to leave with two bodyguards.

  Ma Bao turned around and waved his hand to dismiss his personal guards, discussing with Ma Yuexing alone.

  "His Excellency Mo is quite suspicious, wanting to gather the remnants of various branches, how can he bear to hurt people's hearts with such words." Ma Bao was somewhat puzzled and also somewhat indignant, shaking his head.

  "Although the king has doubts, he is not lacking in wisdom and intelligence. With a look of disappointment in his eyes, it's inevitable that someone will harbor thoughts of rebellion! Fearless of danger, going thousands of miles to offer allegiance, this is indeed a test of loyalty." Ma Wei Xing cleverly shifted the thought of rebellion onto someone else, but Ma Bao naturally understood what was meant.

  "So, it seems that Marquis Wen has also opened his eyes. Those who can go are naturally loyal and single-minded, while those who make excuses not to go have a second heart and cannot be trusted." Ma Bao stroked the whiskers under his chin, seemingly enlightened.

  "It's only natural." Ma Wei Xing nodded in agreement, saying: "If you can come, it's better; if not, don't force it. This should be the intention of His Highness Meng."

  Ma Bao furrowed his brow, falling into a long and deep contemplation. As the original Southern Ming general, he was more inclined towards Yongli, otherwise he wouldn't have defected to the enemy during Qin Wang Sun Kewang's rebellion. However, compared to the original generals of the Great Western Army, he felt a sense of loss. Li Dingguo had already become a prince, Bai Wensheng had been promoted to duke long ago, and Feng Shuangli and Ma Jinzhong were also dukes. Although it was only one rank difference, he, who considered himself a fierce general, felt that it shouldn't be this way.

  Why did the former bandits all climb to their own heads, while they themselves, as orthodox Ming generals, had to live under others. Although no one may have been discriminated against or oppressed, people's hearts are not satisfied. In the Southern Ming army with various factions, there were not a few generals like Ma Bao who had such thoughts, whether from the original Qin faction, Ming faction, Shu faction and so on.