To be honest, in the beginning, Xiao Ruxun did not expect that Myanmar would dare to take the initiative to attack. Anyone with a discerning eye would know that Daming's purpose of going south to Southeast Asia to conquer Myanmar was to teach Myanmar a lesson, to let them know the consequences of provoking Daming. At the same time, he wanted to see if he could take advantage of the situation and destroy Myanmar. Even if he could not destroy Myanmar, after being destroyed by Daming, would Myanmar still be able to ride roughshod over Southeast Asia?
Obviously, it was impossible.
Myanmar, who was arrogant and could not be supported, was instantly isolated by the international community and became an abandoned baby. Everyone gathered around Daming and gave him some money and materials. Although it was not a lot, it was a symbol to show that everyone was on Daming's father's side. They were firm and would never waver. "Daming's father, if you help us get rid of Myanmar, we will still be your good sons."
Xiao Ruxun accepted the filial piety from his sons on behalf of Daming's father. He said that he would definitely teach Myanmar a hard lesson, or even kill it. He told all those who wanted to be naughty to be careful. "Your father's legs are not weak yet. It's still easy for me to teach you naughty kids a lesson!"
With Xiao Ruxun's hint, the surrounding small countries became even more excited. The people sent by Mang Ying to collect taxes were either killed or driven back. The best one was sent out of the country as a gift. He didn't take a penny or a grain of rice with him. Moreover, it was not only one family, but dozens of families rebelled together in a premeditated and planned way. Mang Ying was so anxious that he didn't know who to punish.
Finally, he signed a gentleman's agreement with the tribes in the south. The army in the north was transferred back, but the food and money in the west could not be provided. He had no choice but to follow the old rules and ask his people to be generous. After defeating the enemy, they would return ten times the amount.
Mang Yinglong had done this three times, and each time, he had done it. Mang Yingli had also done it once before, and he had done it as well. This was the second time. His own people trusted him, and so they promised him. They took out their own money and food, tightened their belts, and waited for the army to return with gold, silver, treasures, and glory. Then, they would be paid back ten times.
Xiao Ruxun had thought that they would defend their strategic points to the death, fortify the walls and clear the field, and not give him and the Siamese coalition a good time. In this way, fighting in such a terrain, the Ming army and the Siamese army might really be in trouble. Xiao Ruxun was a little worried about this because he really did not understand the local terrain. However, he did not expect that this problem would not be solved, because it did not exist anymore.
They came to attack.
And they claimed to have three hundred thousand soldiers. How many soldiers did they have in total? About a hundred thousand soldiers, a hundred thousand soldiers, and about three hundred thousand soldiers who could be mobilized. Did they all come? Impossible. When the rear was unstable, Mang Yingli couldn't give all the soldiers to his son. He would definitely keep some soldiers for emergencies. So, whether it was the soldiers or the soldiers, he wouldn't give all of them to Min Qide.
If there were too many, the rear would be unstable. If there were too few, it would be like throwing a meat bun at a dog. They didn't attack to test the strength of the Ming Army and the Siam Army. If that was the case, it wouldn't be necessary to claim three hundred thousand soldiers. They sent their soldiers in a hurry before the allied forces started attacking. They must have the idea of winning the battle and saving the situation. The spy from the Ming Army described the formation of the Burmese army as boundless. These spies were all professional spies, and they knew what a huge army of one hundred thousand soldiers meant.
The spy himself estimated that there were at least seventy to eighty thousand soldiers. As for the number that he couldn't see, that was another matter. In conclusion, Xiao Ruxun felt that the Burmese army must have brought enough soldiers to fight against the Ming Army and the Siam Army. Their strategy must be to defeat at least a part of the Ming Army and the Siam Army, and save the situation for the Burmese army in public opinion, so that the Burmese army wouldn't fall into an even more helpless situation.
Xiao Ruxun still didn't know Mang Yingli and Min Qide well. He didn't know what kind of mood they had when they came. However, his prediction was correct, such as the approximate number of soldiers in the Burmese army.
The subsequent news made Xiao Ruxun doubt his own judgment. He felt that the Burmese army might not have come just to save the public opinion.
On the third day of August, there was a battle report. It said that a part of the Burmese army broke into the border and conquered the border town of Mae Soo. On the fourth day of August, there was another battle report. It said that the main force of the Burmese army attacked Ban Bangsan without stopping. They had defeated part of the garrison, and Ban Bangsan was in danger.
On the fifth day of August, Ban Bangsan fell.
On the seventh day of August, there was a battle report saying that Da Prefecture had fallen.
On the eighth day of August, there was a battle report saying that the Burmese army marched east without stopping. They defeated many small groups along the way. They were unstoppable. Wherever they went, they set fires and killed countless people. The Siamese people were suffering and they all fled to the south. King Naresuan couldn't sit still any longer. He immediately ordered the army to prepare for war. He also contacted Xiao Ruxun and requested the Ming Army to attack with him.
Xiao Ruxun looked at the map and saw an obvious mark on the east side where the Burmese army was marching.
"Your Majesty, where is this place?"
Xiao Ruxun pointed at a mark on the map.
"This is the Peng Shiluo Prefecture. This is where I was born and grew up. It is a very rich place."
Xiao Ruxun nodded and said, "That's right. This is the target of the Burmese army. They probably want to occupy this place and destroy Your Majesty's hometown. They want to suppress Your Majesty's prestige and confidence and strengthen their own morale. Also, they probably want to seize the food."
"What?!"
King Naresuan looked at the map carefully and was surprised to find that the Burmese army was marching east towards the Peng Shiluo Prefecture. That was his hometown and the place where his supporters and reputation were the highest. If Peng Shiluo Prefecture was burned down, it would put King Naresuan in an extremely disadvantageous position politically. As for seizing the food …
"The Dongwu Country is isolated by the other countries. All the countries follow the Great Ming Dynasty and refuse to provide more food, fodder, and money to the Dongwu Country. The flames of war are everywhere in the country, and there are many rebels. The Dongwu Country is militaristic and doesn't want to produce. They have already lost everything. How can they have enough money to support a hundred thousand soldiers for a long time? I think they don't have much food and money. The reason why they are marching so urgently is that they want to seize the food and break our confidence.
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