Southern Ming: A boy soldier at the beginning, supporting the world

Chapter 211 Parting and Death
As the sun sets, the orange-red afterglow dyes half the sky and covers the sparkling Li River with a layer of golden gauze.

Outside Pingle City, Danchu and Jiao Lian will finally part ways. Jiao Lian will lead the Gui army to guard Pingle, and Danchu will lead the Red Army back to Nanning.

"Marshal, after traveling thousands of miles to see you off, we finally have to say goodbye. Please stay. If there is a chance in the future, please invite Marshal to visit Nanning." Dan Chu said with a very sincere attitude.

"Zhuoru, I have asked people to prepare wine in the city. Why don't you go into the city to rest for a night and then set off south tomorrow?"

The sunset, the green hills, the clear water and the lonely city, but Jiao Lian had no intention of appreciating these beautiful scenery; his eyes were filled with reluctance.

"No, no," Danchu waved his hand and said, "It's not that I don't appreciate it, but the Zhongzheng Camp's troops are approaching and the situation is urgent. I have to rush back as soon as possible to take charge of the situation."

Military and political affairs cannot be delayed for a moment. Jiao Lian knew the importance of this matter and said without hesitation: "In this case, I will have someone send wine and food over. You can talk to me for a few more words, and we can drink a few cups of wine and say goodbye."

"Yes." In front of Jiao Lian, Dan Chu was always respectful and used to answering in military language.

The personal guards brought a few chairs, and the generals sat down on the bank of the Li River, watching the Red Army march south.

The Red Army had collected a large number of boats in advance, and the infantry, auxiliary troops, and baggage were all on board and traveled by water. The cavalry had too much baggage and war horses, so they all traveled by land. Having entered their own territory, the officers and soldiers all took off their armor and felt a lot more relaxed.

Jiao Lian called his son and said to Danchu, "Zhuoru, I have been a soldier for half my life, and I only have one son, Sanlang. You are a man of both civil and military skills, and you will become a great man in the future. I entrust Sanlang to you, and please take good care of him."

A beautiful young man of about twelve or thirteen walked over gracefully. He had a handsome face and bright eyes. It was Jiao Sanlang, the son of Jiao Lian.

What did Jiao Lian mean? Dan Chu was surprised and said, "I will obey Marshal Jue's orders. But your son is still young..."

"Alas," Jiao Lian waved his hand, interrupting Danchu's words, and said, "You are extremely talented, and you have a school in Nanning. If Sanlang follows you, he will surely become a talent. If he follows me, I don't have the time or ability to teach him."

Jiao Lian turned to his son, his eyes stern but kind, and said, "Sanlang, kowtow three times to Dinglubo and beg him to take you in. From now on, you will serve under Dinglubo and treat him as your father."

"promise."

Jiao Sanlang answered firmly, and then knelt down on his knees in front of Danchu, which frightened Danchu so much that he quickly stood up and supported Sanlang.

"Zhuoru, sit down, sit down." Jiao Lian stretched out his voice and said, "I should have asked Sanlang to be serious and perform the ceremony, but you left in a hurry, so I had to kowtow a few times. Just accept it calmly."

Danchu was very frightened and said, "Marshal Jue, you have been very kind to me, and I haven't repaid you yet, but you have entrusted your son to me. How can I bear this?"

"Hahahaha," Jiao Lian laughed and said, "You took Sanlang in and raised him well for me, which is the best way to repay me. I have long seen that you have a bright future and your achievements will surpass mine. Sanlang can also build his reputation and have a good future by relying on you."

"Otherwise, Marshal Jue has raised me, and we have a relationship like father and son. Sanlang has come to our army to help us with our great cause, and we should just behave like brothers, but we must not mess up the generations and fail to follow the etiquette."

"Those who do great things do not pay attention to small details. If you do not treat him with the respect of a father, you cannot show Sanlang's sincerity."

This is how the children of aristocratic families behave, they are polite and follow the rules. However, if Sanlang treats Danchu as a father, Danchu will be on an equal footing with Jiao Lian. Jiao Lian is smart and capable, so he will never be so careless. Presumably, he has already predicted that Danchu will become a great man, or have the potential to be a leader, so he sent Sanlang to be close to him early.

Danchu was afraid to accept such a great gift, and suddenly an idea came to him, saying: "General Jue, Danchu is of low moral character and talent, how can he violate the etiquette? How about I accept Sanlang as my apprentice and let Sanlang perform the etiquette of a disciple?"

Seeing that he was sincere, Jiao Lian had no choice but to agree. Sanlang was full of vigor and kowtowed three times, bowed to Danchu and said, "Marshal Jue, Sanlang will be your disciple from now on."

Danchu was also very happy. He helped Sanlang up and said, "Sanlang is a young man of talent. I feel honored to have him as my disciple."

The current situation is difficult and danger can come at any time. Sanlang followed the Red Army to Nanning, one to ensure safety, and two to ensure his future. Jiao Lian was overjoyed that his son had been entrusted with a task. Seeing that there were no outsiders around, he said to Danchu: "In this chaotic time, we should support each other, keep in touch with each other in peacetime, and send troops to rescue in times of emergency. Sun Kewang forced to be crowned the King of Qin. I have contacted Cao Zhijian, Xiong Zhaozuo, Zhou Jintang and other military governors to jointly rebuke him. On the Zhongzheng Camp, if Li Chixin dares to plot something bad, you can write to me and I will lead the army to reinforce him and make sure that the Zhongzheng Camp will never return."

Although Jiao Lian and Li Chixin were from the same hometown, they had fought against the peasant army for many years and had a deep hatred for each other. Like most Ming officials, he believed that Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong had committed unpardonable crimes and wanted to wipe out the Zhongzheng Camp and the Dashi Army.

Being in the chaotic times of the Southern Ming Dynasty, Danchu fully understood his feelings. Back then, Feng Zhiji had robbed him of several hundred dan of grain, and he wanted to kill Feng Zhiji. Not to mention the heinous crimes committed by the Loyalty Camp and the Dashi Army.

The Southern Ming Dynasty was indeed in chaos, so chaotic that it was outrageous and heartbreaking. But in the chaotic times, many people were struggling hard and trying to find a way to revive. If we don't have a deep understanding of the historical background at that time, we can't easily blame the parties involved and can't make irresponsible comments.

Just like Qu Shisi, who knew that Guilin could not be defended and the Yunnan Army could not be relied on, he still held on to Guilin and still relied on the Yunnan Army to defend Guilin and Yanguan. He was not confused, but had his own reasons.

Just like Jiao Lian, who knew that he could not kill Zhao Xing, but still tied him up, ready to sacrifice Zhao Xing and appease the Yunnan army. He was not stupid, but he was helpless in the chaotic times.

The universe is upside down, good and evil are mixed up. This fucked up era can drive good people bad, smart people confused, and normal people crazy.

Sun Kewang, Chen Bangfu, Li Chixin, Ma Jixiang, Pang Tianshou, Cao Zhijian... They are both good and evil, sometimes normal, sometimes crazy, sometimes righteous, and sometimes despicable.

On the contrary, Qu Shisi, Du Yinxi, Jiao Lian, Yang Guodong, Zhu Minru, Zhao Xing, Yang Fuzhi and others were always upright and made Danchu respect them.

To be able to put aside hatred and prejudice and cooperate with the peasant army to fight against the Qing Dynasty like Du Yinxi and Yang Weizhi required a hundred times more courage and a broad mind.

As a time traveler, Danchu did not have so much historical baggage. Whether it was to form an alliance with the Loyalty Camp, or to recruit and appease the Loyalty Camp, Danchu could completely accept it.

"The Loyalty Camp has many women and their soldiers have no desire to fight. I am not worried that they will come to seize the territory." Danchu said calmly: "What I am worried about is Chen Bangfu, who is entrenched in Xunzhou. It is like a thorn in my throat. I will not be happy until I get rid of him."

As they were about to leave, Danchu stepped forward and said, "Chen Bangfu is not worthy of his position. I intend to seize Xunzhou and would like to reward you with Liuzhou. What do you think, General?"

There is Guilin between Liuzhou and Pingle. Jiao Lian was stunned for a long time, but he didn't respond. He said, "Although Chen Bangfu is arrogant and disloyal, he has made great contributions. Zhuoru, you should not act rashly. Xunzhou needs to be taken slowly."

The matter was of great importance, Jiao Lian had a negative attitude, and Dan Chu no longer pressed the issue.

By chance, wine and food were delivered from the city, and everyone drank three cups of wine.

Zhao Xing dragged his wounded body, held a glass of wine to toast Jiao Lian, and cried, "Marshal Jue has been so kind to me, Xing has no way to repay me. I don't know when I will see you again after this trip south. Let me offer a glass of wine to Marshal Jue to show my gratitude."

Jiao Lian also shed tears and said, "You are injured, so drink less. From now on, you will be assigned to Zhuoru, so you must work hard and not be reckless."

"I obey your command." Zhao Xing drank the wine in one gulp and stepped aside.

Sanlang also toasted his father. Although he was still young, he was coughing from the alcohol, but he pretended to be strong and drank a large cup with his father.

Zhu Minru came over to toast and said to Danchu, "Marshal Jue, see you another day. I am stationed in Pingle, which is very close to Zhaoping. If there is anything, let's keep each other informed."

"Okay!" Danchu drank it all in one gulp and said, "See you another day."

The separation in life seemed like a parting in death, and Danchu's eyes turned red and tears flowed down.

(End of this chapter)