Chapter 59: The World Begins to Settle

In just a few months, the tides of the world shifted unpredictably.

Wu Sangui, Prince of Pacification in Yunnan, issued a proclamation, declaring himself “Former General Guarding Shanhai Pass, now Supreme Commander of Land and Naval Forces by Imperial Decree, and Great General for Restoring the Ming and Punishing the Barbarians.” He raised his army in rebellion, vowing to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming.

Shang Kexi in Guangdong and Geng Jingzhong in Fujian responded to his call. Even several Tusi in Sichuan, Miao tribesmen, Borni of the Chahar Mongols, and Mergen Taiji of Qinghai—minority leaders all—rose in succession.

Throughout the Central Plains, Han Chinese officials, soldiers, and even slaves and peasants took up arms in revolt. Among them, those subordinates whom Ma Jun had earlier placed in various regions, with ample provisions and pay, quickly raised the banner of resistance.

Meanwhile, the Qing court was thrown into utter chaos and confusion.

The reigning emperor had died. The Manchu nobility had no choice but to summon the Grand Empress Dowager to take charge, appointing several regents such as Songgotu and Mingzhu. Although the young Kangxi had married the granddaughter of Soni, their child had died in infancy.

Thus, the court was forced to choose a new successor from among the remaining imperial kin. In peaceful times, such a contest might have played out at leisure, but with the empire in turmoil, there was not a moment to spare.

Beset by crises within and without, the Qing court suffered defeat after defeat.

South of the Yangtze was almost entirely recovered and divided among the rebel leaders—Wu Sangui and others.

At the same time, the Heaven and Earth Society took up arms as well. Yet, with Chen Jinnan not yet returned, they could not unite in full force. Of the ten lodges, only the seven that had joined Ma Jun in the assassination attempt on Kangxi managed to gather tens of thousands of men, temporarily seizing territory in Shanxi and Shaanxi.

The latter three lodges, under Lotus, Hongshun, and Jiahou, managed to carve out small fiefs in Fujian and Guangdong.

Soon after, with civil unrest quelled in Taiwan, Chen Jinnan landed in Fujian with fifty thousand troops, nominally under Zheng Keshuang’s command. By then, however, Fujian was largely under Geng Jingzhong’s control.

The three princes, each holding sway over his own region, maintained contact with one another. With fifty thousand troops from Taiwan suddenly appearing within his territory, Geng Jingzhong feared for the safety of his rear.

Thus, for a time, Chen Jinnan and his men could only bide their time, entangled in negotiations with Geng Jingzhong.

Thanks to Ma Jun's meticulous preparations and abundant resources, his forces grew rapidly, soon numbering sixty thousand—more than all seven lodges combined.

Thus, with his prior experience in leadership, Ma Jun naturally became the de facto commander, the seven lodge masters, whether consciously or not, following his orders.

He named his force the “Han Volunteer Army.”

Having achieved the great merit of assassinating Kangxi and Shunzhi, and having dealt with Oboi before, Ma Jun’s reputation among the Han soared. Many smaller rebel forces flocked to join him.

Three years later, the realm began to settle.

South of the Yangtze was wholly divided among Taiwan, Geng Jingzhong, Shang Kexi, and Wu Sangui.

North of the Yangtze, half the territory fell into the hands of the Han Volunteer Army. The remaining unconquered regions, such as Sichuan, entered into negotiations and cooperation with the Volunteers.

Elsewhere, the Qing court clung desperately to power, its factions locked in struggle, the dynasty’s fate all but sealed.

Within the Governor’s Mansion in Shaanxi, the high-ranking generals of the Han Volunteer Army assembled in the great hall, seated around a sand table.

At the head of the table, Ma Jun sat in full armor, his face stern and tanned, his bearing altogether transformed—no longer the man he once was. A small mustache lent him an air of mature gravitas. His tall, upright figure and piercing gaze made his subordinates seem pallid by comparison.

“That will be all. Dismissed,” Ma Jun waved his hand as the meeting ended, and the generals bowed and withdrew.

When all had left, Ma Jun turned and walked toward the inner chambers.

Entering, he was met by several maids who hastened to remove his armor. A radiant young maiden approached, steadying him as he sat, then hurried off to pour water for him.

Ma Jun smiled, drawing her close. “My dear wife, there’s no need for you to busy yourself—come, sit with me.”

This maiden was none other than Princess Mu Jianping. Now seventeen, she had grown into a fine young woman. Since marrying Ma Jun, the two had scarcely been apart, save for the months when the Qing army laid siege with a hundred thousand men.

At all other times, even when Ma Jun rode into battle, the young lady accompanied him. Over the years, Ma Jun’s martial skills had soared, and with the tailcoat’s boon, he was nearly invincible in battle. With Qian Moduo—the flawless strategist—by his side, they were unbeatable.

Thus, in the Volunteer Army, Ma Jun’s prestige was unrivaled. No one questioned his decision to bring his wife with him to war.

It is said that affection grows with time. Pure-hearted and guileless, Mu Jianping had become his true wife in every sense.

Having changed his clothes, Ma Jun took Mu Jianping by the hand to the dining hall.

At the table, Ma Jun set aside his sternness, laughing and chatting with his young wife. Their atmosphere was warm and intimate.

“Husband, I feel as if you’ve been acting strange these past few days,” Mu Jianping said, leaning in with a serious look.

“What’s strange? I was just thinking about when you’ll give me a plump son,” Ma Jun replied with a laugh, holding her wrist tightly.

Mu Jianping’s face changed, and she lowered her head, tears welling up. Since their wedding night a year ago, she too had been preoccupied with the thought. In this age, the continuation of the family line was paramount, and yet, there had been no sign of a child. Hearing Ma Jun’s words, she thought he was blaming her.

“Oh, my dear wife, don’t misunderstand!” Ma Jun hastened to comfort her. “It’s my fault—I misspoke! Our happy days together aren’t nearly over, and I’d rather not have a noisy child disturbing us.”

Mu Jianping wept all the harder. Heart aching, Ma Jun embraced her and kissed her long and deep. “Mmm, you taste of fish soup.”

At last, she broke into a smile through her tears.

Late that night, when all was still, Ma Jun quietly rose, dressed, and leaned over the sleeping Mu Jianping, gazing at her intently.

“Uncle, if you truly can’t bear to leave, then stay a while longer,” Xiao Hua said, a little enviously.

After a long while, Ma Jun stood and slipped out of the room. “Xiao Hua, are you sure that once I leave, time will flow much more slowly in the Deer Cauldron world compared to the main world?”

“Don’t worry, Uncle, I would never lie to you!” Xiao Hua promised solemnly.

“That’s good—then the young lady won’t pine for me.”

With a trace of melancholy, Ma Jun made his way to the study, where, under the dim lamplight, old Qian sat waiting in his tailcoat.

“Uncle, I find you humans’ emotions truly strange,” Xiao Hua chattered. “It’s a pity I have no body; otherwise, I’d want to know what a hug feels like!”

“Enough talk—take me back to the main world.”