Chapter 56: The Expanded Meeting of the Cool Breeze Initiative

Originally, after Ma Jun put forward his grand plan, Chen Jinnan was reinvigorated, seeing once more the hope of restoring the Ming dynasty—he was brimming with energy, ready to act! Alas, he hadn’t anticipated that his own people would hinder him with internal strife.

Compared to the hatred for the foreign invaders, Chen Jinnan placed loyalty above all. This loyalty was reserved solely for the Zheng family of Taiwan. It was precisely because of this—his unwavering devotion—that, despite being a leader of a formidable force, with no lack of skill or means, he ultimately met a tragic end.

Braving the cold wind, Chen Jinnan departed in high spirits. After arranging for Ma Jun to take the lead, he hurried off that very night, accompanied only by a few trusted followers.

Ma Jun, meanwhile, was free to proceed boldly and decisively.

Completing this particular enterprise would shift the balance of the world’s affairs, turning the Deer and Cauldron universe upside down.

That night, Ma Jun instructed the other incense masters to increase their manpower; each hall was to dispatch five hundred men, while the Green Wood Hall would send a thousand.

Returning to his quarters late at night, Ma Jun prepared a wooden tub, took a bath, and enjoyed a good night’s rest. He rose early the next morning, had breakfast, and secretly indulged in a smoke.

He then led Li Shili and others into the main hall, waiting for the leaders to gather for the first wave of the Cool Breeze Plan.

This meeting was an expanded session; aside from the usual incense masters and Mu Wangfu’s Mu Jiansheng, everyone brought along several key subordinates.

The attendees clearly valued the topics at hand, arriving ahead of time.

Ma Jun, presiding over the meeting, personally welcomed everyone before they took their seats.

After a brief exchange of courtesies, Ma Jun settled into the main seat.

Before him was a square table, covered with a map of Mount Wutai.

Once greetings were exchanged, Ma Jun rose to address the assembly. “Brothers, this matter is of utmost importance. For convenience, I’ve given it a code name: Operation Cool Breeze!”

“Excellent! This way, the specifics of the plan aren’t revealed, preventing careless talk and leaks,” Mu Jiansheng, seated at Ma Jun’s right, was the first to express his approval.

Ma Jun smiled faintly and continued, “The significance of Operation Cool Breeze needs no elaboration. We are all men of the martial world, accustomed to a certain freedom. But this time, we’re facing a large-scale battle. The enemy will certainly lead a sizable force when leaving the palace for Cool Breeze Temple!”

“However, if we confront them directly in a pitched battle, the chances of success are slim. Should the surrounding Qing troops be mobilized, we’d be doomed!”

“Therefore, we must combine covert assassination with large-scale combat. When the signal is given, we act in unison, greatly increasing the chances of success—by ‘success rate,’ I mean the likelihood of achieving our goal.”

“When I laid out the initial plan, I considered this issue. I have some preliminary ideas—perhaps immature—which I’ll share for everyone to discuss.”

“My proposal is that each hall master personally participate, selecting a skilled martial brother to accompany them. For Green Wood Hall, I will go with Qian Moduo. Each hall sends two men, forming a suicide squad to hide near Cool Breeze Temple and strike personally when the time comes.”

“The rest of the hall’s men will be assigned by the masters; for every hundred, select a leader to lurk around Mount Wutai, ready for large-scale combat with the Qing troops.”

“As for Mu Wangfu’s brothers, I ask Old Liu to join us hall masters. The young lord will command the main force.”

Ma Jun’s implication was clear: Mu Jiansheng’s martial skills were lacking, and joining the suicide squad would only hinder their efforts. Better to remain with the main force, nominally as its leader.

“Good! I, Liu Dahong, will risk my life to kill Kangxi and Shunzhi!” Liu Dahong slapped the table, his excitement palpable.

He had once been a military commander, following Mu Jiansheng’s father, Mu Tianbo, in escorting the Southern Ming emperor, loyal to the Mu family and harboring deep hatred for Wu Sangui, eager for vengeance. Now, the prospect of assassinating the Qing emperor directly was a splendid opportunity!

When the emperor leaves the palace, preparations are meticulous, officials along the route are on edge, and a large retinue of guards escorts him.

If Ma Jun and his men engaged in an open battle, hoping to kill Kangxi, it would be nearly impossible!

If it comes to assassination, none of them possess the martial prowess of Abbess Jiunan; should the guards surround them, even Chen Jinnan alone would be hard-pressed to succeed.

Hence, Ma Jun’s idea was to combine assassination with large-scale combat. The main force would engage the guards, while Ma Jun and his team seized the chance to act. Should Abbess Jiunan appear, Kangxi and Shunzhi would be beyond salvation!

If not, and Abbess Jiunan failed to show, Ma Jun would resort to his Soul-Snatching Darts!

This time, Ma Jun took direct command, without gradual persuasion or concern for others’ opinions. With Chen Jinnan’s mandate, everyone, seasoned veterans all, dared not sabotage such a grand undertaking.

After finishing his speech, Ma Jun sat down, observing the reactions of those present.

The incense masters weighed the matter in their hearts. Although personal involvement was riskier, their contributions would be duly recorded, equal to Ma Jun’s. Their subordinates remained under their command, so there was little to object to.

Thus, the incense masters nodded in agreement, some even flattering Ma Jun.

Mu Jiansheng, still deep in thought, actually wanted to participate personally, but knew his martial skills were far inferior to Liu Dahong’s and feared he might only hinder the operation.

For the Mu family, restoring the nation was secondary; killing Wu Sangui was paramount! But Wu Sangui was not easily dealt with. Soon, chaos would engulf the land, and when war erupted, slaying Wu Sangui would depend on open conflict. The Heaven and Earth Society, with its vast influence and support from Taiwan, would be crucial.

This favored brother-in-law held a high position; for avenging his father, Mu Jiansheng would surely have to rely on him in the future!

“I agree as well!” At last, Mu Jiansheng raised his hand in support.

Ma Jun nodded, exclaiming, “With everyone’s consent, nothing could be better!”

Next came the second agenda: discussing the marching routes and deployment of the main force before battle.

Ma Jun had no expertise in such military matters. Though the battle was small in scale, it was not his forte.

Fortunately, Qian Moduo was well-versed in ancient military tactics, had prepared detailed documents in advance, and handed them to Ma Jun for review.

Ma Jun’s task now was simply to endorse them.

“When all our forces are assembled, including Mu Wangfu’s men, we’ll have approximately twelve thousand in total. Green Wood Hall’s two thousand will ambush on the southern hills of Mount Wutai; San Tai Hong Hua Hall’s brothers will hide in the northwest slopes.”

“Our suicide squad will lie in wait near Cool Breeze Temple, signaling with fire when the time comes. The main force will split into units of a hundred, each led by a captain, charging the Qing soldiers. Then, we will fight to the death to slay Kangxi and Shunzhi!”