Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 541: General of the Burmese Expedition

Although Meng Jun had decided that Wu Sangui would be the general who pacified Burma, the war was not to break out immediately. As the saying goes, the best strategy is to attack the enemy's plan. To defeat the enemy without fighting is the most respected strategy of the Central Plains dynasty.

In order to let the people of the world understand that the emperor is still a benevolent and righteous monarch, and that going to war is a last resort, and at the same time all the ministers must support the decision to go to war, Meng Jun put forward several conditions. As long as Mangbai agrees, then there will be peace!

Meng Jun proposed the following conditions to the Burmese envoys. First, they had to pay tribute and become subjects, and the succession to the throne had to be formally decreed by the Qian Dynasty to become legitimate.

Second, establish a minister and a general stationed in Burma.

Third, the Burmese crown prince must enter the Qian Dynasty, learn Chinese, and understand the Confucian classics, so that he can know how to rule the world with benevolence and righteousness.

Fourth, within the borders of Myanmar, the foreign languages were abolished, Confucianism was taught, and etiquette and laws were standardized.

Fifth, the Qian Dynasty stationed 2,000 troops in Ava to maintain public order, and material supplies were provided by Myanmar.

Sixth, in view of the fact that Mangbai usurped the throne and murdered his brother, which outraged both gods and men, he should be deposed and another virtuous and capable person should be chosen to inherit the throne.

The above six imperial edicts covered multiple aspects including politics, diplomacy, military affairs, culture, etc. However, as soon as Meng Jun made the proposal, everyone in the court was speechless.

None of these proposals can be easily agreed to by Myanmar. Perhaps just nominal submission and tribute seems simpler.

As for the ministers and generals stationed in Myanmar, they would never be accepted. And as for deposing Mangbai and establishing a new king, Mangbai would never accept it even if he died.

The officials of the Qian Dynasty finally understood that the emperor was determined to attack Burma.

After the ministers of the Qian Dynasty told the envoy Mangbai about the emperor's conditions.

The Burmese envoy was furious and threatened: "The Central Plains is a big country, but my Toungoo is also a big country. The Central Plains is so arrogant, and the victory or defeat is still uncertain!"

After making some harsh remarks, the Burmese envoy returned to Myanmar angrily. The envoy did not need to go back and ask Mangbai about these conditions, as he knew that they would be rejected. If he went back to ask, he would be held accountable. Therefore, the Burmese envoy rejected them immediately and then set off immediately, traveling day and night to return to Ava. He wanted to immediately report to Mangbai the news that the Qian Dynasty was going to mobilize troops.

And in the court, Qian Chao had already begun to make preliminary preparations for attacking Myanmar.

When Wu Sangui learned that the emperor was going to let him leave the capital, he was very happy. He thought that he would have to stay in the capital as an idle marquis for the rest of his life, but he never expected that he would be able to lead troops.

Leading the troops was not the most important thing, but Wu Sangui believed that the emperor trusted him by letting him lead the troops. It can be seen that his action of rushing to the capital immediately after receiving the imperial edict made the emperor let down his guard against him.

Meng Jun then summoned Wu Sangui and asked him if he had any plans for the expedition to Burma.

Upon hearing this, Wu Sangui immediately knelt on the ground and swore: "Myanmar is a small country and is extremely rude. I will capture the leader of the thieves, Mang Bai, alive!"

Meng Jun was worried that Wu Sangui would underestimate the Burmese army and suffer a great defeat, because he knew that Myanmar today was somewhat different from that of later generations. In his impression, one of Emperor Qianlong's Ten Military Achievements was to fight against Myanmar. As for whether the battle went smoothly, Meng Jun could not remember clearly.

However, Meng Jun knew that Myanmar was full of mountains and forests, with a harsh environment and a hot and humid climate. It would be very easy for the army to suffer from acclimatization upon entering the country. So, given Qianlong's arrogant character, it would be extremely difficult for him to fight.

Mosquitoes will breed, and food and grass will easily spoil under such conditions. The humid climate may also cause plague and malaria, resulting in a large number of non-combat casualties.

Therefore, Meng Jun warned Wu Sangui about everything, asking him to be careful and not underestimate the enemy. At the same time, he promised Wu Sangui that once he defeated the Burmese army and controlled their territory, not only would Wu Sangui be promoted to Duke, but three of his subordinates would also be promoted to marquis, six earls, and twelve viscounts, and the rest of the meritorious soldiers would all be generously rewarded.

At the same time, Meng Jun somewhat obscurely told Wu Sangui that once the war was won, whether he was the minister or the general stationed in Burma, if he was willing, he could do it. If he was unwilling, Meng Jun would build a large mansion for him in the capital for him to live in.

As night fell, the lights were dim in the study of Wu's house. A pair of figures sat facing each other. Wu Sangui was telling his adviser Fang Guangchen all the details of his meeting with the emperor during the day.

Wu Sangui said excitedly: "Tingxian, the emperor summoned me today to discuss the Burmese affairs. The emperor is determined to send troops to Burma. He promised that if I defeat the enemy and control the land, I will be promoted to Duke of the State, and my generals can also be granted titles of marquis and nobles, and even be allowed to stay in Burma for a long time!"

Hearing this, Fang Guangchen raised his eyebrows slightly and spoke slowly: "My Lord, the emperor made such a promise, I am afraid he knows that conquering Burma may not be an easy task. The situation there is complicated, and we must be extremely cautious."

Wu Sangui frowned after hearing this and asked in surprise, "What the court said, could it be that the southwestern barbarians can compete with my elite infantry?"

Fang Guangchen pondered for a moment, shook his head gently, and said: "Perhaps it is also possible that this battle is the first time that the emperor has used troops against foreign countries since he ascended the throne, so he attaches more importance to it?"

Wu Sangui laughed and said, "What Tingxian said is very reasonable. Given the nature of the emperor today, if he sends troops to attack, then if he fails in the first battle, he must fight a second and a third battle. Otherwise, the power of the Qian Dynasty will be looked down upon by the four barbarians!"

Fang Guangchen suddenly asked, "If the Burmese expedition is over, do you want to stay in Burma or return to Beijing?"

Wu Sangui was a little confused about what to do after hearing this. After a long while, he sighed and said, "I don't know either. The situation in the world has been decided. I won't say those foolish words anymore!"

On the next day, Meng Jun issued an imperial edict, listing the ten major crimes of Burma, from rebellion against the Ming Dynasty in the Jiajing period to harassing the border in the Wanli period. He also accused the Burmese of repeatedly crossing the border and forcing the chieftains of the Qian Dynasty to submit to him and pay tribute, accusing them of having a rebellious heart, then the curse of water, the massacre of former Ming ministers, and humiliating the Chinese monarch. Together with Mangbai's murder of his brother and self-determination, the ten major crimes were complete, and the Qian Dynasty officially marched south to Burma.

Meng Jun promoted Wu Sangui to the rank of General in the Expedition to Burma, granted him an imperial sword, and gave him flags and banners issued by the king. He ordered a hundred Qingluan Guards to accompany him, and he led an army of 30,000 to attack Mangbai.

After receiving the order, Wu Sangui immediately rushed to Yunnan. He would reorganize the army in Yunnan and send troops to Burma.

At this point, the first battle on the border after the founding of the Qian Dynasty officially began.

In the history of the Qian Dynasty, the expedition to Burma was the only serious foreign military operation of the Qian Dynasty. The battle between Zhao Yongping and the Russians in the city of Yaksa could only be regarded as a small conflict on the border.