That night,
Zhu Mo penned a letter, ordering Si Hong to have a trusted subordinate deliver it to Meng Shao. Simultaneously, he instructed Si Hong to make all preparations; once Meng Shao and other Burmese officers made any move, they were to immediately storm the palace and await the arrival of the Great Ming imperial army.
The letter was not difficult to write. Zhu Mo drafted it quickly, had it translated into the traveling Biao language, and it read:
"Ming Scholar Zhu Mo bows his head:
It is often said that the land has its people, and all things have their masters. Today, Wa City is yours. It is also said that he who controls the power of the world must possess the renown to govern it. Thus, the King of Pegu is he. Why is this so? In my observation, the King of Ava’s destiny has reached its end. First, the Lushai disrupted its continuity, and then your elder brother succeeded to its authority. Thus, the stars have shifted, and heaven’s mandate is no more.
When Qin lost its deer, the world chased it. What is there to be surprised about? However, in this time of change, heaven’s decree is hard to ascertain. He who is not worthy of his position will ultimately be defeated, as your elder brother is. Now, I have led an army of a hundred thousand across the Lancang, and three hundred warships have attacked Malacca. In this confluence of winds and clouds, the Portuguese were shocked into submission, and your elder brother also fled in shock to Baigou. With our troops at the gates of Wa City, eight hundred Tusi have already been ordered to stand by. It can be seen that this is heaven’s will. What else can the horns of siege be for?
I, adhering to the teachings of Chancellor Zhuge Liang of former years, consider attacking a city to be the lowest strategy; it is truly to spare the suffering of the populace. This letter is also written out of consideration for your benevolence, not wishing to see a wise man of the Mang clan discarded like a common pot. For the present plan, you have only to raise your banner to restore Pegu, so that the lords of the world may know that you are not a lackey of the Portuguese. If you do so, it will be fortunate for all the people of Myanmar, and the hope of the northern lords. Once all of Myanmar is peaceful, our great nation will naturally support the virtuous, allowing you to concurrently hold the title of King of Pegu and Pacification Commissioner of Myanmar, making Wa City once again a central province for the emissaries. This is how to gain renown throughout the world. This unprecedented merit, needless to say, if you accept it, will be a celebration for all the people of Myanmar. I will prepare a banquet north of the city to await you. Mo."
Si Hong was also somewhat familiar with Chinese, and after a brief glance, he was shocked. He looked at Zhu Mo for a moment and sighed in admiration, saying, "The strategist is truly a great scholar of the superior nation. I think Meng Shao will most likely agree..."
"Hmm,"
Zhu Mo said calmly, "Si Hong, first show him the letter, then reason with him, appeal to his emotions... My character, Zhu Mo, is known to the world. He will surely understand."
Si Hong had also consulted with several old ministers. All the ministers believed Zhu Mo's plan was feasible. If the Ming army were to withdraw, Meng Shao would be isolated and unable to resist. If his brother were to attack again, Meng Shao would surely not be able to defend. Wa City would ultimately fall into the hands of the Lushai.
Thinking of this,
Si Hong no longer hesitated and immediately entered the city.
At this time, Wa City was already filled with a somber atmosphere. The Great Ming army had surrounded the city, and the defending troops within were divided among different tribes, with no trust whatsoever between them. From Meng Shao downwards, everyone harbored their own intentions, waiting for the Ming army's command to act independently.
Ava Old Palace,
Late at night.
Meng Shao held Zhu Mo's letter, pacing back and forth. He looked up at the magnificent palace and, reflecting on the shifting tides of the world, felt a shortness of breath.
Although he did not understand Chinese, he had a Chinese advisor named Fan Qi, who had already translated the letter. Only then did Meng Shao realize: his brother Mang Yinglong was truly disheartening, having placed him in Ava as cannon fodder while he himself had gone south to Baigou, not to Pegu to gather troops as he claimed.
At this thought,
He sighed and said,
"Fan Qi, what do you think?"
Fan Qi was originally from Jinteng. He had traveled to Wa City with relatives for business. Because he was skilled in construction and had passed the imperial examinations, Meng Shao had taken him into his service, responsible for the repair of the old palace, and later involved him in state affairs.
Earlier, upon seeing the letter's lofty aspirations and profound strategy, he had been greatly alarmed, realizing that the commander of the Ming army was truly extraordinary. If they did not agree, the consequences would be endless. He immediately said in a deep voice,
"General, I believe this letter contains deep stratagems, but also substantial sincerity. If we do not agree, perhaps Si Hong outside will make a move..."
As he spoke,
His voice trembled slightly. He felt that the Ming army's commander, Zhu Mo, was too formidable. This letter represented the hatred of the Lushai people. There was no room for consideration.
Meng Shao grunted, saying,
"The Lushai are tyrannical and lawless, persecuting monks. The gods will surely not protect them! Fan Qi, you say this letter has great stratagems. What do you mean?"
Fan Qi had not dared to say more earlier, only hinting at it. Now, realizing the gravity of the situation, if Meng Shao disagreed, the Lushai outside would likely come in with swords and kill them all. As an outsider, he himself would likely not escape. He immediately sighed and said,
"General, Zhu Mo wants the General to become King of Pegu, with the aim of opposing your elder brother... However, the Toungoo Dynasty is currently in precarious straits. If the General makes a move when his brother is in trouble, his brother will be even more disadvantaged... Those lords and neighboring countries will surely attack. In three to five years, their hegemonic power will vanish like smoke... Zhu Mo's move is truly a stratagem of using a tiger to swallow another tiger, incredibly cunning. However, considering the current situation, we truly have no other recourse... Moreover, this matter involves the General's brotherly affection. Fan Qi is an outsider and dare not speak too deeply!"
Meng Shao nodded and said,
"Fan Qi, among all the ministers, only you consider me... Rest assured, I know what kind of person my brother is. You, explain this letter in detail again..."
Fan Qi pondered for a moment and then said,
"The meaning of Zhu Mo's letter is that the Ava Dynasty is finished, its destiny has run its course. The Lushai people killed its royal family, and your elder brother Mang Yinglong then inherited the throne of Mang Rui Ti, establishing the Toungoo Dynasty. This shows that Ava no longer has heaven's mandate...
Just like the Great Qin of the Chinese, since Ava has lost its mandate, it is natural for the lords of the world to rise and contend for power, and the virtuous shall prevail. He says that in this chaotic era, he led a ten-thousand-man army south and sent a fleet to attack Malacca. The Portuguese have surrendered, and your elder brother has also fled to Baigou. This is heaven's will.
He says he reveres the benevolence of Zhuge Liang, preferring to support the virtuous rather than kill. And you, General, are the virtuous one, positioned at a critical juncture for the balance of the world.
He advises that if the General raises the banner of restoring the Pegu dynasty, it will not only save Wa City from war but also let the world know that the General is not a dog or lackey of the Portuguese. The people of Myanmar and the Tusi in the north will obey, and thus, peace for all of Myanmar can be rebuilt. In this way, the battle will not need to be fought. The Great Ming will not only recognize you as King of Pegu but also confer upon you the title of Pacification Commissioner of Myanmar, making Wa City once again the center of all Myanmar... This is an unprecedented merit. If the General accepts this counsel, it will be the good fortune of all the people of Myanmar. Zhu Mo awaits the General's oath with a banquet north of the city."
"Oh...,"
Meng Shao let out a long sigh and finally understood—
The Great Ming's intention was to revive a new Pegu dynasty to counter his brother's Toungoo dynasty and drive out the Portuguese influence... This was the true meaning of "controlling the power of the world."
At this thought,
Meng Shao also made up his mind and said,
"Fan Qi, my elder brother obeys the Portuguese in all matters. Although he has achieved hegemony, he is ultimately unpopular... I am different. I have no good feelings for the Portuguese Meiluo and Suozha! I am ashamed to be a lackey of this kind! Fan Qi, you write a reply for me. I will dictate, you write!"
Fan Qi was deeply grateful for Meng Shao's favor and could not help but remind him, "General, agreeing with the Great Ming is fine, but what about the Lushai people..."
Regarding this point,
Meng Shao saw it more clearly than him and said with a smile,
"Fan Qi, that Zhu Mo is extremely capable, but he is also very just... You don't understand. He wants me to be King of Pegu precisely to suppress the Lushai people... Think about it, the Burmese revere Pegu as a god, and they will naturally support me! And those Tusi, who have always been at odds with the Lushai, will naturally support me as Pacification Commissioner. In the future, as long as I implement benevolent policies and gradually trim the Lushai's wings, I will naturally be able to hold my position securely..."
Fan Qi pondered for a moment, thinking that this indeed made sense. Zhu Mo wanted a ruler of Myanmar who would obey the Great Ming, and those who caused trouble were enemies of the Great Ming. If the Lushai people did not curb their ambitions, perhaps the Great Ming would even rein them in.
He immediately nodded and said,
"The General's words are reasonable. Alright, I will write it!"
Soon,
A reply letter was written—
"Meng Shao, stationed in Wa City, respectfully writes:
Pegu is the hope of all Myanmar. And the King of Pegu is one who dares not act without heaven's mandate. In the past, the subordinate in charge was confined to Wa City, not to confront the heavenly army, but to maintain peace in Myanmar. For the sake of the people's hope, and to avoid internal unrest, the subordinate has assumed the title of King of Pegu. However, in reality, it is empty.
Now, the Great Ming army has conquered the Japanese to the east and defeated the Portuguese to the south, their reputation weighing heavily on the world. The subordinate has been at a crossroads, never finding peace. Reflecting on how all of Myanmar is bound by my elder brother, and has long been the pawn of the Portuguese, the crime of rebellion fills me with dread. Upon receiving the scholar's letter, it was as if a cloud had parted to reveal the sun, with no obstruction. Thus, I know that Baigou and Toungoo are the rebellious followers of the Portuguese; and the King of Pegu is the name of the obedient Pacification Commissioner. The subordinate is grateful for the scholar's great kindness and is willing to open the city gates to welcome the royal army."