Chapter 002: Understanding

At that time, I was indeed confused and did not understand the deep affection that Emperor Lie had for his people. Moreover, there were indeed a few unscrupulous individuals around Emperor Lie..." In shock, Yuan Zongdi hurriedly continued to defend himself, presenting an irrefutable reason that even Deng Ming could not counter—there were treacherous ministers surrounding Emperor Chongzhen.

With such arrangements, we can completely sever the communication between the inside and outside of the city, and we can also prepare in advance to guard against surprise attacks from enemy ships. Yuan Zongdi said: "If we are stationed downstream of Chongqing, then the city of Chongqing can observe the strengths and weaknesses of our army. Once enemy boats appear upstream and come downstream, it poses a significant threat to our forces."

Yuan Zongdi explained the current situation to Deng Ming, eager to showcase his extensive knowledge and talents to this member of the royal family

Yuan Zongdi thought to himself: "Does the Third Prince really think I have no insight at all? There are certainly many in the current dynasty who dare to criticize the Emperor's ministers, but how does he interpret the saying 'a son does not speak ill of his father'? Hmm, it seems that the Third Prince is taking a stance, indicating that although he suspects I am well aware of his identity, he still prefers not to reveal it and wants me to continue addressing him as Mr. Deng. Moreover, the Third Prince's insistence on not going to Tan Wen's camp also signifies his trust in me"

Upon exiting the tent, Deng Ming discovered that two guards had been assigned at the entrance. Upon seeing him awake, the two guards smiled and said, "Mr. Deng, did you sleep well? The Duke of Jingguo requests your presence"

The next day, when Deng Ming opened his eyes, it was already bright outside, nearly noon. For the past two days, he had been in a state of high tension; yesterday, feeling slightly relaxed, he fell into a deep sleep and only woke up now. Deng Ming was unaware that Yuan Zongdi had inspected his clothes, putting on the uniform of the Ming army while contemplating in his mind:

After the initial shock, Zhao Tianba gradually calmed down and inwardly sighed: "This Mr. Deng is indeed the son of the Fierce Emperor. Just yesterday, I couldn't believe it. Since the Fierce Emperor sacrificed himself for the state, who among the other royal relatives could dare to speak ill of him? Unless it is his legitimate son, any other royal family member who dares to say such a thing would surely have their spine shattered."

Once again, Zhou Kaihuang resolved Deng Ming's doubts: "In July of this year, upon learning that the bandit Wu was invading Yunnan, our army came to besiege Chongqing. Just as we were on the verge of breaching Chongqing, the bandit Wu unexpectedly turned back to relieve the siege. Our army, facing unfavorable conditions in battle, had no choice but to retreat to Kuizhou. However, the bandit Wu's intent to invade the south remained unyielding. To ensure a secure retreat, he fortified the city defenses of Chongqing day and night. The bandit Wu's army of 180,000 has been engaged in this endeavor from July until the end of October, and these wooden stakes were all buried by them. It was not until November that the bandit Wu finally left Chongqing."

Chongqing City is located at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Jialing River. Yuan Zongdi led his troops upstream along the Yangtze River, while Tan Wen, who joined him, advanced with the naval forces along the Jialing River. After the two Ming armies met, they each set up camp on the banks behind Chongqing City.

Although the time spent with Yuan Zongdi and others was not long, the information they provided was crucial for Deng Ming, allowing him to gain a clearer understanding of the current situation. Deng Ming now had no doubt that he was witnessing the final moments of Han resistance during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Faced with the relentless advance of the Qing army, the "rebels" from the Chuang Camp and the Western Camp were making their last struggle for the survival of the Ming dynasty. These Han people, unwilling to become subjects of a fallen nation, disregarded their previous affiliations with different, even opposing factions, and stood shoulder to shoulder against foreign invasion. After so many years of back-and-forth between the Ming and Qing, and the recent large-scale counteroffensive by the Western Ming army in Huguang, Yuan Zongdi and the leaders of the Chuang Camp still held onto illusions about the situation, believing that the current circumstances were still manageable. However, Deng Ming knew that the war against the Qing would soon take a rapid turn for the worse, which compelled him to quietly contemplate his next steps.

"I have heard that first there were the rulers Yao and Shun, and only then were there the ministers of Yao and Shun." Deng Mingxian did not understand why Yuan Zongdi would so steadfastly defend Chongzhen. He then thought: perhaps it is because he and the other party have not yet formed a deep friendship, and the other party is concerned that speaking ill of Chongzhen does not align with Yuan Zongdi's current status as a duke of the Ming dynasty. Even merely agreeing with Deng Ming's statement would not be permissible. To further gain the trust of others, Deng Ming also took a bold stance and continued: "During the Chongzhen era, corrupt officials and embezzlers emerged in droves, yet the emperor still trusted and employed these ministers. The court was practically filled with corrupt officials, and the officials were extremely cruel to the common people... It is as if in a den of bandits where every evil is committed, their mountain king is considered a sage. Is this possible?"

"A son does not speak of his father's faults." Yuan Zongdi said softly, which not only expressed his gratitude towards Deng Ming but also hinted that he had understood the other party's attitude, indicating that there was no need to continue discussing the rights and wrongs of the past

Deng Ming's words left Yuan Zongdi, along with his backers Zhou Kaihuang and Zhao Tianba, utterly astonished. They were no longer the subordinates of Li Zicheng from years past; they were now seasoned military leaders. Such rhetoric justifying rebellion was certainly not to be entertained. Especially coming from someone like Deng Ming, a member of the royal family, it was clear that he had no intention of forgiving those former rebels. Thus, upon hearing Yuan Zongdi's self-defense, he could not help but respond with sarcasm and ridicule.

With sufficient sleep, Deng Ming's mind raced, leading him to his own conclusion: "Indeed, this must be Yuan Zongdi testing me. The ancients were relatively straightforward, lacking an understanding of psychology, the art of language, and the weaknesses of human nature. Yuan Zongdi has treated me with great courtesy, showing respect and trust, and has even provided me with food and shelter. He is now testing me to see if I am someone who changes my mind easily."

Since he had come to this understanding, Deng Ming stated resolutely: "I am willing to serve the Duke of the State, how could I possibly turn to another?"

"Not bad." Yuan Zongdi nodded

There are certain thoughts that Zhao Tianba keeps to himself, but he would never express them verbally. He is very clear about the situation regarding the mobilization of the Ming army in Sichuan and Hubei: the Ming army in Sichuan and Hubei has no choice but to stand against Wu Sangui's large forces, not for their own safety, but for the court far away in Kunming. During the last attack on Chongqing, the Ming army here suffered significant losses. Although they have gathered again this time, if Wu Sangui were to return once more, it is certain that these allied forces would face substantial losses again.

Whether it was Deng Ming's attitude or the content of his speech, it left Yuan Zongyi stunned, and he suddenly thought: "If you truly are a member of the royal family, then who would dare to have you serve? How could you possibly serve a certain minister? Oh, I see, although I know he is of royal blood, and most likely the third prince of the fierce emperor, he is unaware that I already know this, so he is still pretending. Hmm, yesterday I returned that string of beads intact; the third prince probably still thinks I didn't see it."

Sun Kewang was originally a member of the Western Camp and had been responsible for specific internal governance work in Yunnan for many years. Previously, the Manchu Qing had little understanding of the Ming military deployments in the Yunnan-Guizhou and Sichuan regions, which deterred the Qing army from rashly entering Ming territory. However, after a conflict arose between Sun Kewang and Li Dingguo, Sun Kewang surrendered to the Qing. This allowed the Qing army to gain a thorough understanding of the routes, storage, and defenses of the Ming army's rear in the southwest. More critically, many local officials and commanders of the southwestern Ming army had been appointed by Sun Kewang. After Sun defected, Li Dingguo purged Sun's former subordinates, who had harbored resentment for quite some time. The Qing's attack on the Ming court was accompanied by a large number of letters written by Sun Kewang to the southwestern officials and military officers. In Guizhou alone, five counties and over thirty thousand troops surrendered without a fight due to these letters, leading to the rapid collapse of the Ming army's eastern defense line

From the information gathered by Deng Ming from these populations, it is understood that Wu Sangui, in this military campaign, holds almost all of the Qing court's mobile forces. Not to mention the elite troops from Shaanxi and Shanxi, even the Qing army's field units in Huguang, which originally fell under the command of Hong Chengchou, are now entirely under Wu Sangui's control. The Qing court clearly aims to achieve its objectives in one decisive battle, intending to annihilate the Yongli regime in Yunnan in a single stroke. For this expedition, the Qing court has also drawn heavily from the naval forces and vessels in Jiangnan, continuously transporting troops and supplies from the lower reaches of the Yangtze River to Chongqing for Wu Sangui's army.

It seems I have overcomplicated my understanding of the people of the Ming Dynasty. The individuals of this era are simple and straightforward; there should be very few deceivers. They believe whatever you say, lacking the inclination to doubt others. This must be what is referred to as the ancient style. Yesterday, I was flustered and hastily responded to their questions, and upon reflection, my answers were riddled with flaws, yet these people believed me without question. Indeed, they show great respect for scholars. I slept soundly until now, and they did not wake me.

At this time, Yuan Zongdi was inspecting the positions set up by the Qing army in front of Chongqing. Regarding Deng Ming, he had unreservedly labeled him a wastrel—able to sleep until nearly noon, which clearly indicated that he was accustomed to a life of luxury and had never done any work.

In July, the coordinated attack on Chongqing by Yuan Zongdi and Liu Tichun yielded favorable results, forcing Wu Sangui to turn back midway, which provided King Jin Li Dingguo with several additional months for preparation and deployment. During this period, the troops stationed in Guangxi gradually returned to Yunnan to prepare for battle. Upon learning that Wu Sangui was once again leading a large army, the supervising official of the Yongli court, Wen Anzhi, immediately sent urgent orders to Liu Tichun, Yuan Zongdi, Hao Yaoqi, Li Laiheng, as well as the three Tan stationed in Wanzhou—Tan Wen, Tan Hong, and Tan Yi—urging them to regroup and launch another siege on Chongqing.

This time, it was Zhao Tianba and Zhou Kaihuang whose eyes were nearly popping out. Zhou Kaihuang strongly agreed with what Deng Ming had said, but the key issue was that such words should not be spoken by a subject of the Ming Dynasty, nor should they be directed at a Ming military officer, especially since Deng Ming might be a member of the royal family, possibly the third prince of Chongzhen—who would dare to insult their own father? Zhou Kaihuang looked at Deng Ming with increasing suspicion: "Is this person really a descendant of the late emperor?" Especially since Deng Ming might be a member of the royal family, possibly the third prince of Chongzhen—who would dare to insult their own father? Zhou Kaihuang looked at Deng Ming with increasing suspicion: "Is this person really a descendant of the late emperor?"

This time, Wu Sangui disregarded the threats from the Ming army on the flanks and advanced straight into Yunnan, causing the situation to become as urgent as Liu Wenxiu had described. Due to the long distance and inconvenient communication, Zhao Tianba and his companions were still unaware that Li Dingguo was already retreating step by step, with the Qing army closing in on Kunming

What is going on here? Deng Ming realized that the other party indeed meant this, and he couldn't help but look down on Yuan Zongdi a bit: "No wonder he respects scholars so much; he truly lacks insight. There have been many comments from ministers about the emperor, especially during the Ming Dynasty, where officials frequently criticized the emperor, even to the point of not fearing the imperial staff—being punished by the emperor with a rod."

Yuan Zongdi suddenly realized that although the group from the Western Camp had previously been rebels, ultimately, it was not they who caused the death of the fierce emperor. If this prince is indeed a close relative of the fierce emperor, even after so many years, he might still harbor deep resentment towards the King of the Breakthrough. I must quickly clarify that I had no part in the events that transpired in Beijing back then. Moreover, it is better to explain now, as the prince is still unaware that I have already guessed his true identity. This explanation can come across as more sincere rather than merely catering to his preferences.

Faced with the Ming army's stake-clearing team, the sound of cannons and guns echoed continuously from the top of Chongqing City. Deng Ming gazed at the large area of wooden stakes below and, somewhat astonished, asked: "How much effort did they actually expend to bury so many wooden stakes?"

Despite both parties having a common goal, Deng Ming also noticed that the troops of Tan Wen and Yuan Zongdi were clearly distinct, and their battle lines did not connect, revealing a significant gap between the two armies. The Qing forces in Chongqing seemed oblivious to this, as it was evident that there were only a few monitoring troops on the city walls facing the junction of Yuan and Tan, as if they were completely unconcerned about the possibility of their unification and a subsequent offensive.

In the upper reaches of the Jialing River, the Tanwen faction is engaged in the same work as the Yuan Zongdi faction. Although Yuan Zongdi is somewhat hesitant, Deng Ming has already understood that Tan Wen, Tan Hong, and Tan Yi, stationed in Wanxian, are all loyalists of the Ming army. To be honest, Deng Ming has never quite figured out why Yuan Zongdi brought this up with him.

Zhao Tianba firmly believes that King Jin will be able to repel Wu Sangui's attack, but he is also acutely aware of the difficulties involved. Otherwise, the court and King Jin would not have tasked him with escorting several eunuchs, the envoys, to Kuizhou. The objectives of these eunuchs, representing the court, and Zhao Tianba, representing King Jin, are aligned— to exhaust all means, whether through persuasion or coercion, to ensure that the allied forces from Sichuan and Huguang provide full support for the operations in Yunnan.

Once, twice, thrice, the distance from here to the court is vast. Apart from bestowing titles and rewards, it is difficult for the court to provide support. They repeatedly extricate the court from difficulties yet receive nothing in return, which is likely not a sustainable strategy. Zhao Tianba felt a sense of unease and could not help but recall the proposal made by King Zhao Liu Wenxiu to the court before his departure—deploying the main force of the Ming army from Yunnan into Sichuan, establishing Chengdu as a base. Liu Wenxiu's view was that in the event of a Qing army invasion of Yunnan, the Ming army would have its elite troops leading the charge, and the allied forces in Sichuan and Hubei would not harbor grievances. Moreover, this would allow them to confront the enemy outside of Yunnan, preventing the adversary from approaching Yunnan, the most crucial base for resource production. However, Li Dingguo was concerned that the army's distance from the court might lead to unforeseen events, and he believed that Wu Sangui would not dare to disregard the Ming forces in Sichuan and Hubei while invading Yunnan. Therefore, he did not adopt Liu Wenxiu's suggestion and chose to remain in Kunming.

Mr. Deng, would you like to go over there and take a look? Although Yuan Zongdi was very reluctant in his heart, he had already informed Deng Ming that Tan Wen was different from him; he was a legitimate descendant of the loyalist army with strong roots. Whether it was the supervising general Wen An sent by the Yongli court to the Sichuan and Hubei regions, or the royal family members like Prince Han who had fled, these legitimate descendants of the court were always given more importance, or rather, were favored significantly. Since it was judged that Deng Ming might be a royal family member of considerable background, Yuan Zongdi naturally could not keep him in his camp.

Yuan Zongdi thought to himself and let out a long sigh: "In my youth, when I followed the King of the Rebels, my intention was to eliminate the petty individuals around the late emperor and assist the fierce emperor in attacking the Northern barbarians. This was my thought, and it was also the agreement I made with the King of the Rebels. Later, when the King of the Rebels sent me south to Xiangyang, he was influenced by that treacherous person Niu Jinxing when he entered the capital, and he unexpectedly developed disloyal thoughts. Unfortunately, I was not by the King's side at that time; otherwise, I would have certainly been able to persuade him to turn back from the brink."

The words of the public officials were met with skepticism by the students. After a moment, Yuan Zongdi paused to observe Deng Ming's reaction. The latter felt that the former was assessing his inclinations and immediately said: "During the Chongzhen era, the people were struggling to survive, and they resorted to cannibalism... The Shun King was in accordance with the heavenly mandate and the sentiments of the people. Moreover, this divine artifact is without a master; what is wrong with the Shun King taking it? It is lamentable that that traitor Wu Sangui brought enemy troops into Shanhai Pass, ruining the great lands of our Han family." Moreover, this divine artifact is without a master; what is wrong with the Shun King taking it? It is lamentable that that traitor Wu Sangui brought enemy troops into Shanhai Pass, ruining the great lands of our Han family.

The guard brought Deng Ming before Yuan Zongdi, with Zhou Kaihuang and Li Tianba standing nearby. Li Tianba was an envoy sent by the Yongli court, and Yuan Zongdi intended for him to obtain firsthand information for future reporting to the court. The sudden appearance of someone who could possibly be a prominent noble or a relative of the royal family would undoubtedly prompt inquiries from the emperor and the court regarding the details in the future

If this were in the past, the tens of thousands of troops of the Wu bandits invading Yunnan would not have dared to rely solely on the Yangtze River for transporting troops and supplying provisions. Speaking of this unprecedented scale of attack, Zhao Tianba, who hails from the Western Army, also showed a worried expression: "Sun Kewang has defected and betrayed us. He is well aware of the internal situation of our Ming army, knowing exactly where the population is dense, where the granaries are located, which roads are in good condition, and which cities and fortresses have long been neglected. He must have provided the Wu bandits with a great deal of information, assisting them in choosing their routes of attack."

This is called a plum blossom stake. Zhou Kaihuang explained to Yuan Zongdi: "Arranged in layers and interwoven, standing in front of the city, it can prevent ladders, siege carts, and scaling ladders from approaching the city walls. The army of General Wen and several other generals is already on the way and will arrive soon. We must clear these wooden stakes before they arrive, so that we can take Chongqing in one swift move." The General Wen mentioned by Zhou Kaihuang is General Wen An, appointed by the Yongli court.

At this moment, Yuan Zongdi also regained his composure. There is no doubt that Deng Ming is the legitimate son of Chongzhen, and other members of the Ming royal family do not have the standing to criticize an emperor who died for his country. Who among the non-legitimate royal family would dare to speak out against the emperor? Although it is a significant breach of etiquette for a son to reproach his father, it represents a stance, a very clear attitude of non-pursuit of accountability, which only the son of Chongzhen could exhibit. Yuan Zongdi could not help but think that if Deng Ming were to maintain such an attitude in the future, the court would most likely not pursue the offenses of the former generals of the rebel camp. Although it is a significant breach of etiquette for a son to reproach his father, it represents a stance, a very clear attitude of non-pursuit of accountability, which only the son of Chongzhen could exhibit. Yuan Zongdi could not help but think that if Deng Ming were to maintain such an attitude in the future, the court would most likely not pursue the offenses of the former generals of the rebel camp. The other party probably realized that he had discerned his identity, hence the unreserved expression of attitude—Chongzhen's orphan's stance of not holding the soldiers of the rebel camp accountable.

Deng Ming was astonished, staring at Yuan Zongdi's face for quite a while, completely unaware of his own rudeness. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant: "Are you loyal to Chongzhen? Yuan Zongdi, are you trying to deceive me? ... Look at his sincere expression; could there really be a secret unknown to others? No, I almost fell for his trick. He says this because he has now accepted a title from the Ming dynasty, so he must appear utterly loyal in front of outsiders. Just when Li Zicheng entered Beijing, he didn't go, and now he is trying hard to cleanse his reputation. I should perhaps praise him a bit. No, I almost fell for his trick. He says this because he has now accepted a title from the Ming dynasty, so he must appear utterly loyal in front of outsiders. Just when Li Zicheng entered Beijing, he didn't go, and now he is trying hard to cleanse his reputation. I should perhaps praise him a bit. ... However, agreeing with him might not be wise; he certainly doesn't mean that at all. If I go along with his words, he will most likely know that I am insincere. If I use inappropriate words, he might even think I am mocking him. Hmm, anyway, there are no outsiders around, so I should praise the righteous deeds of the rebel camp; that is what he truly wants to hear, and it will also show that I am indeed on the same side as him. ... However, agreeing with him might not be wise; he certainly doesn't mean that at all. If I go along with his words, he will most likely know that I am insincere. If I use inappropriate words, he might even think I am mocking him. Hmm, anyway, there are no outsiders around, so I should praise the righteous deeds of the rebel camp; that is what he truly wants to hear, and it will also show that I am indeed on the same side as him. Now that I am seeking refuge with him, I must not confuse the hierarchy.

"Indeed, as the Duke said, we, as subjects, should not discuss the late Emperor." Deng Ming, lacking full confidence, cautiously remarked.

I ? '' Deng Ming was exceptionally surprised by this question. He considered himself to be a scholar who had joined the army, pondering to himself: `` If we were to use the terminology of the twenty-first century, I am merely a job applicant submitting my resume to Yuan Zongdi, right? Although resumes can be submitted casually, it seems inappropriate to reveal thoughts of wanting to change jobs or comparing options during the interview. Moreover, this is not the future; even the most simple and honest ancient people could not be as open-minded as those in the future, could they? Although resumes can be submitted casually, it seems inappropriate to reveal thoughts of wanting to change jobs or comparing options during the interview. Moreover, this is not the future; even the most simple and honest ancient people could not be as open-minded as those in the future, could they? Isn't it said that a scholar should die for someone who understands him? What does Yuan Zongdi mean by this question? ''

"What are these stakes?" Deng Ming asked curiously

In front of Chongqing City, many soldiers of the Ming army were active. Deng Ming looked from a distance and saw them holding shields and wielding axes, destroying some wooden stakes that were standing on the ground. Outside the city walls of Chongqing, these wooden stakes were densely inserted, resembling a small forest.

Yuan Zongdi's words left Deng Ming momentarily astonished. He pondered to himself: "Doesn't this mean that a son should not speak ill of his father? But Yuan Zongdi is clearly not the son of Chongzhen; what does this mean? Why is it unacceptable... Oh, I understand now, it is that a subject should not listen to others speak ill of their sovereign. After all, he is a subject of the Ming Dynasty, and I, in theory, can also be considered a subject of the Ming Dynasty.