prosperous age

Chapter 1107 1198 Outside Mubang City

"Look, the Ming navy has captured Pegu and is heading towards Toungoo."

Mang Yinglong said in a low voice, which solved the mystery.

"what?"

Mang Yingli exclaimed in disbelief, then quickly took the letter from Mang Yinglong and read it quickly.

Looking at the messenger kneeling on the ground in front of him, Mang Yinglong waved his hand and asked his personal soldiers to come over.

When the people stood behind the messenger, he then said, "Take the people down to eat something and rest for a while. It's next to the king's tent."

After giving the order, he also gave a wink to his personal soldiers.

He believed that his personal soldiers should understand his intention and should control the messenger from Toungoo City to prevent the news from spreading.

In this military camp, he cannot let bad news from the country spread, otherwise it will lead to instability in military morale.

If people's hearts are lost, it will be difficult to lead the team.

"Yes."

The personal soldier bowed and accepted the order, then took the messenger out of the king's tent and went to rest aside.

He did not ask the messenger for other information about the royal capital, because he was extremely confused at the moment and felt upset when he saw the messenger. He needed to think of a way to break the impasse as soon as possible.

At this time, Mang Yinglong's previous plan to defeat the Ming army in one battle and occupy the entire Yunnan had disappeared.

I sighed in my heart. I had finally managed to gather all the Burmese tribes together using my strong appeal and the excuse of conquering the Ming Dynasty. Who could have known that this would be the result.

At this time, consolidating Yunnan and waiting for an opportunity to eye the south of the Yangtze River in the Ming Dynasty became nothing but a passing cloud and became illusory.

Yes, although Myanmar’s national strength cannot be compared with that of the Ming Dynasty, Mang Yinglong believes that as long as he works hard, he can seize the Ming Dynasty.

As long as he nibbles away step by step, it would be like he only intends to occupy Yunnan in this battle. After consolidating his rule here, he can consider whether to take action against Guizhou or Sichuan. He will decide then.

But at that moment, the Ming army only occupied three prefectures in western Yunnan. While tying down its main force, the other part went to steal home by sea.

"The power of the Ming Kingdom really cannot be underestimated."

Mang Yinglong sighed softly.

At this time, Mang Yingli had also finished reading the letter and had an anxious expression on his face.

Toungoo City is their roots. It is not only the capital of Myanmar, but also their home where all family members live.

If Toungoo City was lost, Mang Yingli couldn't imagine what would happen.

"Father, what should we do next? Should we lead the troops back to provide support immediately?"

Mang Yingli asked anxiously.

"No."

However, although Mang Yinglong had a worried look on his face, he simply rejected his son's proposal.

"We have now arrived at Baoshan City. As you know, the Ming Dynasty sent a left commander to Baoshan City to supervise the battle. He should know about the Ming Dynasty's arrangement.

If we rush back to rescue Toungoo, and the Ming army rushes out of the city to kill us, I don’t know if I can return to Toungoo alive.”

Mang Yinglong is not stupid. He has just connected all the information together.

The Ming Dynasty commander in the city could not possibly be unaware of such a big move by the Ming Dynasty.

They have now most likely fallen into a trap set by the Ming people, who are waiting for them to return to Myanmar in a hurry.

It would have been nice if this news could have come a few days earlier.

At that time, the army was still in Lujiang City, dividing the river directly with the Ming Dynasty.

“Govern by dividing the river”

Thinking of this, Mang Yinglong's eyes suddenly shone with brilliance.

The Ming Dynasty had been well prepared, and it was impossible for it to annex Yunnan.

Unless he can abandon his foundation in Myanmar.

But that is impossible, the base of his rule is Burma, definitely not here.

"You, take only your personal soldiers and return overnight, call back the troops still on the way to Lujiang City, and set up defenses along the river."

Mang Yinglong began to tell Mang Yingli about his arrangements. In a word, he would first withdraw the several troops that had not yet arrived at Baoshan City in the rear back to Lujiang City, and set up a defense line there to resist the pursuit of the Ming army.

Mang Yinglong was not so stupid as to think he could accomplish such a big thing, as he wanted to divide the territory with the Ming Kingdom under the Baoshan City.

The only way was to rely on force to seize the land west of Lujiang River and to withstand the Ming’s counterattack.

As for Toungoo City, calculating the time, more than ten days had passed when the letter was delivered to him. At this time, the Ming army was probably not far from Toungoo City.

He would not think that Zuya would just sit there and wait for death. After knowing that the Ming army landed in Pegu, he would definitely dispatch troops from all over to rescue Toungoo City.

He just hoped that they could hold out in Toungoo City a little longer and wait for him to return with his troops.

"Later, you should be able to recruit 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers. I remember that the one who led the way was Gengma Tusi Han Qian. He has several Tusi under his command, and there should be more than 10,000 people. You can lead them through Hanlong Pass, take the roads of Mubang and Lawu, and return to Toungoo City for rescue.

Remember, you must leave a general you trust in Lujiang City. The defense of Lujiang City will be in charge of Han Qian, and those who stay must pay attention to his every move."

Mang Yinglong reminded.

"Father, how about sending someone from the camp to go with me?"

Mang Yingli suggested hesitantly.

“No, each unit behind us has its own leader. If we send them to obey orders from anyone other than you and me, it might cause dissatisfaction among them.

You just need to leave a few spies in Lujiang City to keep an eye on Han Qian."

Mang Yinglong made a prompt decision and said.

"Father doesn't trust Han Qian?"

Mang Yingli asked in disbelief.

Han Qian is a chieftain whom my father relies on, but from what he hears from my father, it seems that he is on guard against him.

"Things are different now. We can see that we can no longer advance and our advance into Yunnan has failed. We have no choice but to guard against those chieftains turning against us.

You know, our enemy is not small countries like Siam and Laos, but the Ming Dynasty.

Afterwards, the Ming Kingdom will definitely send an army to hold us accountable. This matter is of no small importance. Those people might even hand over you and me, father and son, out of fear of the Ming Kingdom.

I will stay in Baoshan City for the next few days and let their various units take turns attacking Baoshan City."

Before, Mang Yinglong was still thinking hard about finding other ways to attack the city because he didn't want to lose too many troops. But now, his mind has completely changed.

Regardless of whether he could capture Baoshan City or not, he had to consume the military strength of the chieftains of various tribes. Otherwise, when he returned to Myanmar, he would not be sure of being able to deter these people.

Yes, he wanted other chieftains to lead their troops to their deaths.

Only by depleting their strength can he, the King of Burma, secure his position.

Of course, if he could occupy Baoshan City, he would also withdraw his troops and only send people to guard here to delay the Ming army's attack. At that time, he would lead the main force back to Lujiang City and set up defenses along the river.

After completing the preparations here, I will lead the elite troops back to Myanmar.

He had seen in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms that the arrogant Prime Minister Cao Cao lost an army of hundreds of thousands to ashes in the blink of an eye because of a fire at Chibi.

A crushing defeat like a landslide must not happen under his leadership. Once that happens, Myanmar will not have enough troops, and if the Ming Kingdom takes the opportunity to attack, then the fall of Myanmar will be inevitable.

"This matter must be kept secret. The messenger knows the situation in Toungoo City. You take him with you. If he dares to reveal the news."

Speaking of this, Mang Yinglong revealed a ferocious look.

Mang Yingli naturally knew what he meant and nodded heavily.

The news of the crisis in the Burmese capital had already reached the ears of the Burmese king, but the news was deliberately blocked by Mang Yinglong, so most of the Burmese army generals were unaware of it.

The only ones who knew about it were a few guards in the king’s tent.

As for other officials and chieftains, they just thought that there might be something going on in the royal capital, but it should not be big, otherwise the King of Burma would not have summoned them to a meeting to discuss it.

Of course, Li Chengliang in the city didn't know all this.

On the second day, Li Chengliang got up, washed, and was eating when he heard someone report that the Burmese army outside the city had left the camp and formed four military formations under the city. It seemed that they were going to attack the city wall today.

"Haha, I thought that after yesterday's heavy defeat, Mang Yinglong would take a two-day break and think about countermeasures. I didn't expect him to be so eager to send troops to die."

Li Chengliang put down his chopsticks, said something contemptuously, then stood up and walked out of the house towards the gate.

There, personal soldiers were already waiting for his arrival with horses.

After leaving the mansion, Li Chengliang took the reins from his personal soldier and mounted the horse. The sound of horse hooves came from behind him.

Looking back, I saw Mu Changzuo, the general commander of Yunnan, arriving on horseback.

"Marshal, I heard that the Burmese army is preparing to attack the city."

Mu Changzuo saluted on his horse with his fists clasped.

"I've heard about it too. Let's go and take a look together."

Li Chengliang took the whip from his personal soldier and swung it back heavily. A crisp whip sounded and the warhorse under his crotch felt the pain and jumped out directly.

Li Chengliang rode in front, and Mu Changzuo followed closely on horseback. They soon arrived at the west gate of Baoshan City.

He dismounted, walked up the wall along the horse path, and looked down while holding onto the battlements.

Just one glance and Li Chengliang frowned slightly.

At this time, three or four miles outside the city, the area was already densely packed with Burmese soldiers.

Generally speaking, these Burmese soldiers were divided into four military formations. Although the formation looked a bit loose, it was known that most of the opponents were farmers who had just put down their hoes for half a year. Such a performance was already very good.

There is a saying in the army: if there are more than a thousand people, the sky will be covered with clouds; if there are more than ten thousand people, there will be no end to the world.

At this time, the four military formations of the Burmese army were like this, completely different from the formation of thousands of people yesterday.

Li Chengliang estimated that each of the four military formations had more than ten thousand people, and the four military formations had about fifty thousand people. This was a huge number, and it was almost certain that the Burmese army was planning to storm Baoshan City.

"Changzuo, immediately dispatch five teams of soldiers to the city and await orders."

Li Chengliang said that he must respond to the scene before him, which was completely different from the attitude of the 3,000 people attacking the city yesterday.

At this time, Mu Changzuo felt his scalp tingling when he saw the situation outside the city. He knew that a fierce battle was inevitable today. Just as he was about to speak, he heard the rumbling sound of drums coming from below the city.

The drum sound seemed to be a command. An army formation under the city began to move, and tens of thousands of people rushed towards Baoshan City like a tidal wave.

"Major General, Xinwei is ahead, and that is the main city of Mubang."

In a forest on a hillside, a middle-aged Han man was whispering to an overly young general beside him.

That general was naturally Li Chengliang’s son Li Rusong.

After leaving Baoshan City, he traveled during the day and stayed at night, and arrived at Mengding Prefecture quietly.

He found the Ming army hiding in Mengding and immediately took over the command from his brothers.

Afterwards, the entire army advanced in secret, choosing remote roads to advance. Without alerting the surroundings, after ten days of trekking, the army finally arrived at the first target since entering Burma, the city of Mubang.

The reason why we don't bypass this place is because this is the only way to return to Myanmar from Longchuan. Otherwise, we can only take a detour through Mengmi, which will increase the journey by at least ten routes.

Both Li Chengliang and Li Rusong calculated that if Mang Yinglong wanted to send troops to rescue Toungoo City, he would have to go through Mubang.

If we take a detour via Mengmi, we may have no choice but to return to Toungoo City to collect the bodies.

The middle-aged man who was speaking was naturally the guide found in the caravan, an old guard who had been in and out of Myanmar many times.

These people may not be as well-informed about Myanmar's strength as the caravan managers, but they are extremely familiar with Myanmar's terrain and roads in various cities.

The Li family had already found several such people, and a few days ago they asked them to draw a simple map of Myanmar and a map of the city.

As for this trip into Burma, the route was also decided upon after discussion among them.

In fact, most of the caravan guards were more familiar with Myanmar's main road. The small road they took this time was the one the man in front of them had walked on before, so they asked him to lead the way in front of the entire army.

The reason why they took this remote and untraveled path was naturally due to the changes in the domestic situation in Myanmar. Sometimes their trading partners were at odds with the surrounding areas, so they had to hide their past to avoid causing trouble.

They are businessmen and do not want to compete with the Burmese chieftains. Peace and harmony bring wealth, which is the best way.

As for the dirty tricks among the chieftains, they have nothing to do with these businessmen.

Looking at the city in the distance, the Burmese army's defense was not tight, and could even be said to be lax.

After all, now the King of Burma is advancing with his large army, forcing the Ming Kingdom to not dare to fight back. With victory in sight, who would still worry that the Ming army in Mengding Prefecture would take the initiative to attack Mubang?

The Ming army is probably now mobilizing troops to defend Baoshan, Chuxiong and other places.

The Burmese army was caught off guard, which naturally made Li Rusong overjoyed.

Behind him were more than a thousand Li family servants, all of whom were cavalry. They could be said to be the predecessors of the Guanning Iron Cavalry recorded in the Ming History.

This army was not only well-equipped, but also had the most advanced weapons of the Ming Dynasty. Except for the archers, everyone else was equipped with three-barreled guns and sharp sabers.

The three-barreled gun is both a long-range weapon and a mounted long weapon. After firing the gun, it can be used directly as a hammer.

The sabers were used to wield and chop when breaking into the enemy camp, and with the two layers of armor they wore, they were able to gain the upper hand even against the most elite Mongolian cavalry.

They are now in the mountains and forests east of Mubang City, and can vaguely see the north-south road passing through the city.

"The second child and the third child."

Li Rusong waved his hand gently, and the two brothers immediately came over.

Well, all these troops were organized and trained by them, otherwise it would be difficult for a few young kids like them to command those veterans in their forties and fifties.

It can only be said that Li Chengliang put a lot of worry into raising his own children.

"Each of you will lead a thousand men and block the north-south road for me."

Li Rusong whispered.

"Then you, brother."

Li Rubai asked in a low voice.

"I will lead my guards to charge directly into the city and seize it. You will then lead your troops into the city and kill all the Burmese troops."

Li Rusong stared at the unguarded city gate with joy in his eyes.

Behind him, several middle-aged soldiers had solemn expressions on their faces.