Chapter 56: Everyone, Listen to Me

Sometimes, being right does not mean everyone will listen to you; it’s the one who speaks with the loudest voice that commands attention. For example, if a little child says, “My heart should be as vast as the starry sky!” the family merely finds it amusing. But if a world leader or a renowned celebrity utters the same words, it becomes a famous quote—though at times it may be nothing but empty talk.

Ma Jun, the esteemed Hall Master of the Hall of Verdant Wood, has now made such a name for himself in the martial world that even when his words surprise and puzzle those present, they are willing to quiet their hearts and listen. He rose to his feet, commanding everyone’s gaze, his bearing full of confidence, clearly about to speak in earnest, not utter mere pleasantries.

“Before I explain myself, I wish to ask the Young Lord and my Master one question. Which is more important—driving out the Tartars or killing Wu Sangui?”

“The hatred for our country’s conquerors surpasses all,” Mu Jiansheng replied without hesitation.

“You are absolutely right!” Chen Jinnan added.

“In that case, there is no more to be said,” Ma Jun continued. “All present are fellow Han. I have a small idea I will not conceal from you.”

Ma Jun then began a lengthy and reasoned discourse. Since the Manchu army entered the Pass, the Shunzhi Emperor has reigned for eighteen years. Though his deeds seemed unremarkable, in fact, he had firmly secured his power. The Qing dynasty has matured. Though Han are many, the hearts of the common people yearn for peace, and the chance to overturn the regime is slim.

Now, though a young emperor sits on the throne, this child is himself exceptionally talented. Even if some qualities are lacking, he can rely on the great Aisin Gioro clan to hold the empire together, perhaps even ushering in an era of prosperity.

Given all this, the cause of resisting the Qing seems all the more hopeless.

Yet heaven never seals every path. There remains a sliver of hope! The Qing do not wholly control this land.

Shang Kexi in Guangdong, Geng Jingzhong in Fujian, and Wu Sangui in Yunnan—these three were generals of the fallen Ming who surrendered, each now a powerful vassal holding sway in their own domains. And they are all Han.

Whether or not one calls them traitors, the fact remains: when the Qing conquered the Ming, they could not truly master all the territory. To secure their reign, they had no choice but to grant these three men titles and lands.

They are like three thorns stabbed into the very heart of the Qing, causing pain at every moment. Should the opportunity arise, the Qing will certainly move against them.

Had the emperor been mediocre, perhaps nothing would come of this. But now, the throne is occupied by Kangxi, a ruler for the ages. These three princes ultimately could not rest easy. Eventually, they clashed with the Qing, a struggle that lasted nine years before they were finally vanquished. Of course, that part is not in Ma Jun’s speech.

Ma Jun’s words emphasized that to restore Han rule, Wu Sangui must be kept alive. He now commands the largest force among the Han, and a showdown with the Qing is inevitable.

At that time, many Han generals across the empire still held military power and would surely respond. The Qing would be shaken to its core.

After Ma Jun’s impassioned and well-reasoned appeal, the assembly fell silent, each lost in thought.

At length, Chen Jinnan’s spirits revived; he lifted his head, his eyes shining with an unfamiliar light. “Little Jun, I never imagined you could analyze the great affairs of the world so clearly!”

“Do not worry, everyone,” Ma Jun continued. “I predict that if Wu Sangui rises, he will use the banner of restoring the Ming. But he is known as a traitor to all under heaven. First, he lacks the ability to conquer the entire land. Second, even if he does, the other two princes and the Han people would never accept him as ruler! When the time comes, we too shall raise arms. After the Tartars are driven out, Wu Sangui will be slain to avenge his betrayal. What do you all think?”

“Excellent! Hall Master, you are indeed a hero, and every word rings true!” Li Shili was the first to respond.

“Hall Master’s plans are unfailing; his insight far surpasses ours!” echoed the brothers of the Hall of Verdant Wood, who made up the majority and responded in chorus.

Chen Jinnan was startled to witness this. He hadn’t expected that, in such a short time, Ma Jun had both accomplished great deeds and won such prestige among the men of the Hall.

After a moment, Mu Jiansheng clasped his fists and bowed deeply. “Brother-in-law, in my life, I have most admired my father and Chief Chen. Now, to that list, I must add you! You are right: between national and personal enmity, restoring the Ming comes first. So what if Wu Sangui lives a few more years?”

“Young Jun, a hero in youth!” Liu Dahong laughed heartily. Clearly, the Mu family had accepted Ma Jun as their son-in-law.

With this, the Mu family’s support for Ma Jun was clear; only Chen Jinnan had yet to state his position.

Though Chen Jinnan’s martial skills were unmatched, his true strength lay in his leadership of the vast Heaven and Earth Society. He understood Ma Jun’s reasoning. In the past, his hope to restore the Ming was but a distant thought, and his years of toil were spent seeking a worthy death.

Now, with hope before him, his spirits rose anew. He nodded. “Little Jun, you are right! In matters of national vengeance, we must look to the long term. Slaying Wu Sangui is a small affair; driving out the Tartars is the great task!”

Li Xihua, standing to the side, had been watching Ma Jun with an expression of admiration and respect. “Hall Master Ma, your vision is indeed lofty, but I still have a question.”

“Please, speak your mind,” Ma Jun invited.

“Of the three vassals, I fear each now wishes only to rule his own little kingdom in peace. The Qing, for now, will not dare move against them lightly. We must wait for the right moment—when will that moment come?”

The old fox, Daoist Xuan Zhen, though not adept at weighing great affairs, had worked closely with Ma Jun in recent days. Upon linking their actions, he understood and smiled. “Brother Li, you do not know—our Hall Master has already set this plan in motion!”

He then recounted Ma Jun’s plot to assassinate Wu Yingxiong and implicate the Emperor, adding, “At the time, I thought the Hall Master merely sought to trouble Wu Sangui, but I never guessed he had such grand designs!”

The plan unfolded step by step, with Daoist Xuan Zhen knowing but a part. Still, the assembly now saw great hope and once again praised Ma Jun.

Ma Jun, his expression calm, stood tall and proud. Suddenly, he turned to Li Xihua. “Brother Li, would you join our Heaven and Earth Society and devote your strength to our anti-Qing cause?”

“Oh?” Li Xihua hesitated.

“Li Xihua, let me be frank. Everyone present today—my Master, whom I respect as a father, the Mu family, who are now my kin, and the rest, all sworn brothers—only you remain uncertain. There is a matter of even greater importance I must soon disclose to my Master and the others. If you are unwilling to swear yourself to our cause, then, having heard such secrets, for the sake of our cause, you must be treated as necessary.” Ma Jun spoke with a smile, his words a gentle threat.

Li Xihua frowned, curious about this greater matter Ma Jun spoke of, yet still hesitant to join the Heaven and Earth Society.

Ma Jun continued, “Li Xihua, I entrusted you with much because I have some faith in you. You are a descendant of the Red Lady and Li Yan, leaders of the peasant uprisings at the end of the Ming. They fought for the sake of the Han and the common people. Have you never thought to inherit your parents’ aspirations and shed blood for the Han people?”

Now, the author’s remarks were originally at the end, but upon submission, it was discovered that the section could not exceed five hundred words, so they were placed above. Rest assured, the main text is over two thousand characters long, and the words here are not mere filler.

A careful look at this period of history reveals that the Qing initially only held the imperial title; in truth, most of the land and local power remained in Han hands. When the Three Feudatories rebelled, the Qing teetered on the verge of collapse as uprisings broke out everywhere. Unfortunately, the three leaders, though formidable, lacked the necessary ability and, at first, had no intention of rebelling. Moreover, as traitors, they never won popular support and were eventually suppressed by Kangxi. Otherwise, even Kangxi’s talent could not have saved the dynasty.

From the perspective of ethnic integration, Kangxi’s accomplishments cannot be denied. For nationalists, it is not the conqueror’s strength that is to blame, but our own lack of resolve.

Of course, I am not a nationalist. We now live in an age of great integration, so such talk is meaningless—utterly meaningless!

Also, damn it, Old Chen nearly turned a novel about crossing worlds into a history book—my apologies!

Furthermore, as stated at the chapter’s beginning, to make people listen, one must possess true authority, which comes from reputation. All the groundwork laid for Ma Jun was not for nothing.

Ma Jun will not rule and dominate in the world of The Deer and the Cauldron unless he possesses overwhelming force. Otherwise, the struggle will be long and arduous. I already feel the story is dragging, but I fear readers will be bored. To conquer a nation is no simple matter; only when Ma Jun leads tens of millions of robots will victory come easily. If I were to write that Ma Jun seizes power effortlessly, I myself would find it absurd.

I believe every event should have its cause and effect and will strive to make the story coherent. Many small plot threads were laid earlier on; attentive readers may have noticed them.

A hint: Ma Jun and Little Hua are both rivals and partners in love and battle! From the very beginning, their contest has been ongoing.

Pay attention to the book’s tags: Ma Jun is cunning and scheming!

Old Chen is, in truth, a rather reserved person, but the tone of this book is meant to be cheerful and light. The last few chapters may not have conveyed that well, but I will pay heed. Reading, after all, is for enjoyment—that is my belief!