Chapter Thirty: The Imperial Clan Enters Yunnan

  Restore the Qing and overthrow the Ming, this slogan can be said to have a long history and has been passed down for a long time. Even during the Xinhai Revolution, many ordinary people still held such views. To say that it has penetrated deep into people's hearts may be somewhat exaggerated, but historical events do indeed illustrate some problems.

  Going against the heavens and moving with momentum. With his identity as a member of the imperial clan staying behind to guard, he can turn around the unfavorable situation where the anti-Qing banner is half-fallen. Gathering the remaining Ming troops in Yunnan Province, as long as they are not temporarily destroyed by the Qing army, they can take advantage of the people's anti-Qing uprising and cleverly manipulate it, perhaps turning defeat into victory and reversing the fortunes.

  And this is exactly the advantage of being a traverser, knowing what will happen next, can prepare in advance, pick up the missing, and respond in time. Oneself is like a catalyst, can make the fire of resistance that was destined to be extinguished by the Qing dynasty burn more fiercely, making the enemy scorched and exhausted.

  No, just being desperate is not enough, we must let the enemy perish in a sea of flames. Zhu Yongxing clenched his fist tightly, responding to the situation was too passive, he should take control and manipulate it, only then would it be more satisfying. Let the fire of resistance ignite at the most opportune moment within our own plan. Then it will no longer be an isolated struggle, but a massive uprising with external support and meticulous planning.

  Deep into the night, people are not quiet, and the candlelight has been burning for a long time. Zhu Yongxing sometimes stood in front of the map, deep in thought, and sometimes paced around the room, his thoughts flying over thousands of mountains and rivers, flying over the fleeting years, and a magnificent scroll gradually unfolded before his eyes.

  ………

  The morning fog dispersed without a trace under the drive of sunlight, and the banners were unfolded. Two thousand soldiers lined up and marched out of Mengan Pass, advancing along the main road. At the front of the team, a flagpole with a length of more than 3.3 meters was held high, and the red-bottomed yellow character "Min" command flag fluttered in the wind, measuring 6 feet 9 inches long and 3 feet 6 inches wide.

  Almost all the usable armor and flags that Yongli abandoned when he entered Myanmar were used up, and it was indeed mighty! Zhu Yongxing rode on horseback, wearing a suit of armor, with shiny helmet and red tassels on his head, standing out like a crane among chickens.

  As a member of the imperial family going on an expedition, he had to show his determination and display his might. Wearing long sleeves and a kerchief was not enough to demonstrate his resolve. Zhu Yongxing, although not skilled in horseback riding or battle formation, also wanted to show off this majestic and heroic appearance. Although there were only fierce mountain tribesmen around him with no one else watching, Zhu Yongxing felt that dressing up like this while marching would allow him to adapt faster to future battles and boost his confidence.

  Following closely behind Zhu Yongxing was Mengzhu. Although she didn't like armor, she too wore a suit of armor, but it was a lightweight leather armor. The tight-fitting armor accentuated her curvaceous figure, with long legs, high breasts, and a slender waist. Added to that were her jade-like face, red lips, and shoulder-length hair, which made her look strangely beautiful.

  The earth groaned under the trampling of hooves and heavy feet, a long baggage train followed behind, creaking and rumbling as it advanced, sending up clouds of rolling dust, adding to the majesty of the marching army.

  A thousand men, stretching from the ground to the sky; ten thousand men, endless and boundless. Although this is an exaggeration in the art of storytelling, in Zhu Yongxing's eyes, the two thousand soldiers' grandeur still left him staring in awe.

  This is just the beginning of Xingfushenzhou's true start, can it be stopped now? When I first arrived in a strange land, wandering and without a place to settle; suddenly waking up from a dream, deciding to enter Yunnan; did I ever think it would be like this? With heaven's blessing, relying on my own courage and wisdom, there is today's small achievement, and got the help of the Mangshan Kezu people. The road is long and far, taking the first step is difficult, but it is the beginning of success.

  In the warm sunlight, Zhu Yongxing straightened his waist, still not skilled at riding a horse, but it's not the time to show a timid appearance. Looking back at the long marching troops stretching for miles, he met Dream Pearl's smile which was even brighter than the sunlight, with both heroic spirit and warmth coexisting, difficulties and opportunities existing together, truly a complex emotion that evokes endless feelings!

  ……

  Tiebian Pass, located 540 miles southwest of Tengchong City in Xiedian Mountain, and Tongbian Pass on the top of Bulin Mountain. The two passes are key fortresses controlling Mangha, Hahei, and Mangmo, with a city wall perimeter of 20 zhang, a height of 2 zhang 2 chi, and a tower height of 5 zhang 4 chi. During the Wanli period of the Ming dynasty, each pass had a garrison office for defense.

  The heroic pass, though old and worn, still stands tall on the mountain peak, but lacks the brave warriors who once guarded it, instead being filled with ordinary civilians. But wait, these seemingly ordinary civilians actually have a background, they are waiting for Zhu Yongxing's arrival.

  An old man in casual clothes sat in a chair on the city wall, seemingly asleep, but couldn't help noticing his swollen eyelids, sickly gray skin, and sloping shoulders. Although it was impossible to tell his age, it couldn't be denied that he looked much older than he probably was.

  "Father, Shi Shizi's men are less than ten miles from Guanzhong." A young man walked over and said in a low voice.

  "Hmm!" The old man hummed a sound, slowly opening his eyes, and under the dense eyelashes, was a pair of sharp eyes.

  "Father, do you have to go so far as to welcome him at the pass? A distant relative, relying on some barbarians..." The young man was of medium build, with broad shoulders and long arms, sturdy in physique, like someone accustomed to enduring hardship, but his eyes seemed to always hold a hint of arrogance and suspicion.

  "Shut up." The old man abruptly interrupted the young man's words, his eyes flashing as he suddenly turned around, age and weakness seeming to be shaken off from his body, his grey hair and beard radiating an irresistible majesty.

  The young man was taken aback and hastily lowered his head to listen respectfully.

  "The imperial family is just the imperial family, looking around the world, how many are left in the great Ming? The old man sternly scolded: "The emperor abandoned the country, the famous general was defeated, and the scene was disappointing. At this time, the prince of Mi could enter Yunnan with the dignity of the imperial family, support the crisis, and it is really precious. The order to cut hair has been issued, and the people of China are all thinking of resisting, can you bear to easily become a barbarian?"

  "Our bodies are made of flesh and blood, given to us by our parents. How could we dare to harm them?" The young man's face turned red as he hastily argued back.

  "Restore the glory of China, and preserve our traditional attire. This is a great righteousness." The old man's tone became more gentle, and he spoke with deep concern: "Prosper the family, increase fortune and nobility, this is a small hope. I heard that the Marquis of Miao received divine guidance, but as his father, I still don't believe it. However, observing what he has done, examining the plans he has devised, he can make the fierce Mountain Ke clan willingly submit to his rule, then there must be a grand plan for him to become king or emperor. Attacking the Mo Tu Fu fortress, ambushing the Mian army, deceivingly taking control of the Mian Pass, setting up an interlocking strategy, even if the Duke of Wu were still alive, he wouldn't have done any better than this."

  "My father said that the son of Min is not an ordinary person." The young man first echoed a sentence, and then worriedly said: "I'm afraid that if the great undertaking fails, my family will be implicated."

  "Wealth and honor are sought in danger, and in times of chaos, it is precisely the opportunity to rise. At this time, helping each other is like sending charcoal in snowy weather, and one day it will be like adding flowers to brocade! The old man turned his gaze to the distance and said quietly: "If we really reach the end of the road..." He paused for a moment, then sighed, "At worst, we can flee to another country, Siam is also an option."

  Young people still have knots in their hearts, but they nod and agree.

  ;