Chapter 411: The Northern Expedition Decided: Seizing Tianjin

Since ancient times, attacking the north from the south has been as difficult as climbing to heaven.

Of all the plans, this one from the General Staff—balancing orthodox and unorthodox maneuvers—was the most feasible.

Everyone in the hall seemed stirred.

Chen Jiao muttered, "But if we do this, Lei Sanxiang will have to hold out in the capital for a long time. Once Li Zicheng cuts off the Tianjin outlet to the sea, the capital will become an isolated city. I wonder if he can hold it."

"And that Zu fellow in western Liaoning—getting him to submit to our army won't be easy either, will it?"

Silence fell over the hall.

Everyone knew full well how impossible it was for Zu Dashou to surrender to Great Xia.

The Zu family had been generals for generations, ruling western Liaoning like local emperors—even the Ming-appointed Supreme Commander of Ji-Liao could not command him.

Back when Yuan Chonghuan and Zhu Dadian had suffered successive defeats in Jiangxi, Chongzhen wanted to transfer the Guanning Army south and summoned Zu Dashou at the Pingtai Pavilion—only for Zu Dashou to find excuses and reject the mobilization order outright.

Chongzhen beheaded governors-general, supreme commanders, and chief grand secretaries without hesitation, yet was utterly helpless against Zu Dashou—which showed just how untouchable his position was.

Under Sun Chengzong's strategy of "defending Liao lands with Liao men," the Guanning Army had opened military farms in western Liaoning. After years of being slighted by the court, they had even achieved semi-self-sufficiency in military supplies, becoming almost an independent warlord force that held the court in even less regard.

Against a warlord with virtually no weaknesses, the only available tactic was to court him—offering high office and lavish rewards while letting him keep his personal troops and retainers.

The Jianzhou barbarians and the Dashun army could both use this move—even granting a princely title or a noble rank was a matter of a single word.

But Great Xia could not. Great Xia's soldiers belonged to the state, it championed the curtailment of privilege, and it had just executed a large number of gentry lords in Jiangnan.

If they now turned around and promised Zu Dashou high office and riches, would he even believe it?

And making such heavy promises—what would Great Xia's own generals think? Wouldn't that be political suicide?

Thus, both civil and military officials understood: it was already no small feat for Zu Dashou to maintain neutrality; having him defect to Great Xia was utterly impossible.

This was precisely the weak point in the General Staff's strategy of striking straight at the capital region.

But this touched on the Temple Weeping Case, and no one present dared raise it, for fear of incurring the King's displeasure.

Only Chen Jiao—being Lin Qian's sworn brother and a founding elder of Great Xia—dared speak so bluntly.

The atmosphere in the hall grew somewhat awkward.

Ye Xianggao slowly rose and bowed to Lin Qian and the assembled officials. "Your Majesty, gentlemen, this old minister has something to say."

Ye Xianggao was held in such high esteem that every official present held their breath in anticipation.

Lin Qian too adopted an expression of solemn attention.

"This old minister believes that this seaborne advance to take Yanjing offers five advantages.

First: occupying the capital, righteousness falls to us—establishing our legitimacy and orthodox mandate, causing the prefectures and counties to submit. The purge of gentry in Jiangnan is also state law for cleansing accumulated abuses, and idle criticism will naturally subside. This is the first advantage."

The values of this era differed from later ages—being good to the people and killing corrupt officials was merely a means to win the realm; occupying the capital and inheriting the dynastic vessel was the true substance of bearing the Mandate. Both were indispensable.

In the south, Great Xia could still use newspapers to win popular support, but in the north, barely one or two in a hundred could read. Coupled with frequent warfare, severed postal routes, and displaced refugees, distributing newspapers was far less useful than occupying the capital.

Ye Xianggao walked slowly to the sand table, picked up the pointer, and tapped several spots across the Ji Garrison, Xuan-Da, and Yongping. "Northern Hebei produces fine horses, and the capital houses the Court of the Imperial Stud with over a thousand war horses in its care—seize them for immediate use to remedy our shortage of cavalry.

The Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War, the Wanggong Factory and elsewhere hold thousands of skilled craftsmen, plus gunpowder, muskets, and armor in countless numbers—enough to amplify the strength of our infantry. This is the second advantage."

He then pointed at the capital. "The Beijing and Tongzhou granaries hold vast stores of grain, which can relieve the difficulties of Jiangnan's grain transport by canal.

Confiscating the households of nobles, eunuchs, and corrupt officials will surely yield ample silver, enough to offset the annual tribute of the Jiangnan provinces. Controlling the northern terminus of the canal system allows us to dispatch grain and check the Huai and Shandong regions.

Surveying and registering the imperial estates and official pasturelands can expand the tax base—state revenues will naturally grow. This is the third advantage."

Ye Xianggao set down the pointer and said unhurriedly, "Jiangnan is our heartland. If our defensive line is cramped along the Yangtze and Huai, Jiangnan lies too close to the spearpoints—that is hardly the best strategy.

Better to make Yanjing our foundation—holding off the Dashun rebels to the south and the Jianzhou barbarians to the north, expanding our position and securing our base. This is the fourth advantage.

The people of the north have suffered the calamities of war for too long. When our dynasty enters the capital and pacifies the realm, comforting the common folk, their hearts will surely turn to us.

Toward the gentry, punish the ringleaders and pardon the coerced followers—this can ease the resentment from the Jiangnan purge and achieve a situation where submission follows the mere proclamation of our edicts.

This is the fifth advantage.

With these five advantages, even if our troops take some risk, what harm is there?

Besides, with Commander Lei's valor, the strength of the capital's walls, and the thunderous power of our cannons—can he not fully defend a single city like the capital?"

Ye Xianggao's speech analyzed everything from politics and popular sentiment to military affairs and economics—thorough and comprehensive.

Most critically, if Great Xia did not seize these benefits, they would all go to the Jianzhou barbarians or the Dashun army—equivalent to handing the enemy a weapons factory, ceaselessly fueling their military campaigns.

Once the capital was secured and linked with surrounding Tianjin, Baoding, Zunhua, and Yongping into a systematic defense, a seaborne landing or surprise assault would become nearly impossible.

Since becoming Chief Grand Secretary of Great Xia, Ye Xianggao had rarely expressed his own views, confining himself to harmonizing court and country and executing policy.

Had he not seen both the enormous gains of taking the capital and the enormous risks of abandoning it, he would not have spoken so rashly.

For a moment, all eyes converged on Lin Qian.

Lin Qian sat upright in the seat of honor, his tone slightly heavy. "Since ancient times, no royal enterprise has thrived in partial safety. Avoiding war to seek peace merely delays death.

Now the Ming court's armies are utterly spent, the northern prefectures and counties are demoralized and panicked—this is a heaven-sent opportunity to take the capital in one stroke.

When heaven offers and one does not take, one invites calamity upon oneself!"

Lin Qian paused briefly, raised his eyes to sweep over the civil and military officials below the steps. He saw the entire hall moved, every gaze burning bright, flames seeming to dance in their eyes.

He raised his voice, the sound echoing across the North China plain on the sand table.

"This northern expedition is not for wealth or private gain, nor for counting temporary losses and gains.

It is to end the decade and more of warfare and chaos in the Central Plains, to drive the Jianzhou barbarians beyond the passes, to bring peace to the common people of our land, and to restore righteousness to the world.

Let all of you ministers unite in heart and strength to accomplish this great enterprise—the day we recover the capital shall be the beginning of Great Xia's founding of the realm!"

Mao Wenlong's blood boiled at the words. He immediately stepped forward from the ranks and clasped his fists with force. "This general volunteers to be the vanguard, to ride ahead for Your Majesty—through fire and water, I will not refuse!"

The other generals present also vied to volunteer for battle—even Ma Chenglie and Huang Hetai, the two garrison commanders of the Min-Yue forces, were shouting to go to the front lines.

The civil officials present nodded quietly as well, their eyes burning with fervor.

This kind of fanatical, battle-hungry gaze was common among military men but extremely rare among civil officials. When civil officials showed such fervor, it meant the entire nation was ready to fight to the death.

Fortunately, Qin Liangyu and Lei Sanxiang were leading troops abroad and not in the hall—otherwise they would surely be fighting right now over who would lead the army across the sea.

Seeing his ministers so roused, Lin Qian nodded inwardly and exchanged glances with Ye Xianggao and Scholar Zhou.

Given Lin Qian's current status and prestige, at a formal court deliberation involving national policy, he was only suited to make the final decision and boost morale—not to personally step forward and express his views.

Therefore, Lin Qian's opinions had all been communicated in advance with Ye and Zhou.

Had they not known the King's intentions beforehand, given their positions, Ye and Zhou would not have dared to fully support any particular strategy either.

Lin Qian let the military officers voice their loyalty for a while, then said: "Orders. First Brigade, Seventh Brigade, plus one Artillery Regiment, under the command of Lei Sanxiang, assemble and board ships at Zhenjiang today, set sail for Tianjin, and strike directly at the capital.

Zhou Youcai accompanies the army on campaign, with overall authority over capital civil affairs.

The Navy Ministry will charter seagoing vessels; the Finance, Civil Affairs, and Construction Ministries will coordinate to guarantee grain supplies and troop transport for the Northern Expedition.

Qin Liangyu's forces' provisions and pay shall be placed under Zhu Xieyuan's sole coordination; Lei Sanxiang's Northern Expedition army's grain shall be handled by Zheng Zhilong, who will oversee the maritime grain route, transshipping through Dongjiang and sending it directly to Dagu Fort.

Second order: Qin Liangyu's forces shall pacify the Dongting Lake area as quickly as possible, then take central Sichuan, hold the strategic passes of Kuimen and Hezhou, and intercept Zhang Xianzhong's westward-advancing army.

Third order: Luo Dagu's Yangtze River navy shall strengthen river defense along the entire line, seal off the river channels, and strictly prevent Zhang Xianzhong's forces and various roving bandits from secretly crossing into Jiangnan. All garrison troops and river fortresses along the river shall be under his command, conducting joint water-and-land patrols to ensure the safety of the Jiangnan heartland.

Fourth order: The Military Intelligence Bureau shall select scouts to infiltrate the capital, spread proclamations, inform the gentry and commoners, undermine the capital's defenses, and report daily on the military situation of the various garrisons, flying dispatches to the front lines.

Fifth order: The Foreign Affairs Bureau and the South Sea Fleet shall pacify the barbarians of Hirado, Manila, and Hoi An—during the Northern Expedition, no trouble may be stirred up overseas.

Sixth order: The Grand General Staff of Daxia shall relocate to Nanjing immediately for convenient military coordination; the Construction Ministry shall urgently build signal beacon towers linking Guangzhou and Nanjing.

The generals remaining behind, and all officials of the Government Affairs Hall, must strictly maintain discipline, rigorously investigate rumors, stabilize the foundations, and ensure not the slightest hindrance comes from the rear."

As Lin Qian issued his orders, all the officials in the hall rapidly took notes—the only sound was the rustling of paper and brushes.

When he finished speaking, the civil and military officials together bowed and acknowledged, their voices shaking the very tiles.

When the General Staff meeting adjourned, it was just past noon; the assembled high officials couldn't even spare time for lunch, and orders were transmitted downward layer by layer in dictated official documents.

The orders to Qin Liangyu were sent out almost immediately. The General Staff's beacon relay station and the Yuexiu Mountain station spun frantically—the message text ran to a full twenty characters, and by the time the call command had reached Wuzhou, the final set of instructions was only just being sent from the General Staff.

By afternoon, the Navy Ministry's ship charter orders had been plastered all over Guangzhou harbor, and eagle ships carrying charter orders were speeding toward Zhangzhou, Chaozhou, Quanzhou, Fuzhou, and elsewhere.

That evening, the General Staff packed up everything necessary for the northward march—the sand table alone filled over two hundred large crates—and all personnel and materiel boarded ships through the night.

At the same time, beacon orders had been transmitted to Guilin, and from Guilin were relayed by six-hundred-li express courier horses, galloping separately toward Kunming and Qin Liangyu's army's front line.

Five days later, Lin Qian's orders had reached the grassroots level everywhere.

At the Three Mountains of Jingkou, Luo Dagu summoned his subordinates from each river section and ordered a strict, sealed defense of the Yangtze waterway.

On the outskirts of Suzhou, the blood of the gentry still undried, the First Brigade of the Daxia Field Army marched by night. Lei Sanxiang, riding on horseback, roared: "Rear ranks, hurry up! Even if your feet are torn and bleeding, grit your teeth and bear it—once we're on the ship, we'll all get treated and rest together!"

In Changsha city, Ji Wang, Chu Wang, and Rong Wang—three Ming princes—knelt together, behind them the clans of the three houses, nearly two thousand people.

Ma Xianglin looked at this pack of venomous parasites, remembered the hundred humiliations he'd suffered under Jingjiang Wang before the walls of Guilin, and his anger surged—he grabbed a burning stick of firewood from the brazier beside him, ready to light these three pieces of garbage up.

Zhang Fengyi talked him down: "Chief Inspector Li will be arriving at Dongting Lake any day now. If you burn the three of them, when Chief Inspector Li gets here, he'll be interrogating you instead."

Ma Xianglin tossed the firewood back into the brazier in dissatisfaction.

The three princes, scared out of their wits, kowtowed repeatedly, thanking him for sparing their lives.

Zhang Fengyi said: "The General Staff has issued orders. Our mother is summoning the generals at headquarters—there are troop movements to be made, come discuss matters quickly!" So saying, he pulled Ma Xianglin away.

In Guangzhou city, Bai Qing's battle report arrived. The Foreign Affairs Bureau gave generous compensation to Ji Bai's family, after which the General Staff ordered the North Sea Fleet to land first at Dagu Fort, seize the beachhead, and—relying on naval gunfire—construct defenses, awaiting the landing of Lei Sanxiang's forces.

Another five days passed, and Lin Qian and the General Staff had arrived in Nanjing.

At the same time, construction officially began on the Nanchang-to-Nanjing beacon line selected by the Construction Ministry.

When Fan Di first arrived in Daxia, Lin Qian had ordered the construction of the Guangzhou-to-Nanchang beacon line; now they only needed to extend the Nanchang-to-Nanjing section.

Though the route was very long, once beacon sites were selected, construction could proceed at multiple points simultaneously, so the timeline would not be very long.

Fortunately, the most time-consuming site selection had already been completed years ago by university students.

Once built, the beacon relay stations were all foolproof to operate—operator training wouldn't take long, and they could be fully put to use in the Northern Expedition campaign.

Just as Daxia was pouring its entire national strength into the Northern Expedition, Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, and Ajige were also essentially marching according to the General Staff's projections.

The realm was in turmoil, heroes vying for supremacy, and the debate over legitimacy was reaching a fever pitch.

At this moment of converging storms, everyone vaguely sensed that a monumental war—one that would sweep North China, decide the fate of the realm, and determine the fortune of the Chinese people for centuries to come—was quietly drawing near.

In the dead of night, Lin Qian tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and accompanied by Ye Zhen, walked along the walls of Nanjing.

Due to the multiple blows of the gentry purges and the abolition of the slave registry, the Qinhuai River had fallen into great decline—a stark contrast to the moonlit Yangtze rolling endlessly onward, vast and desolate.

Calculating the time, Lei Sanxiang should already have landed in the capital region by now.

The Great Ming was a centipede with a hundred legs—its foundations ran deep. When the state crumbled, there was no guarantee that civil and military officials wouldn't fight desperately to strike back, and in Beizhili, Ajige's Two White Banners were eyeing the situation hungrily.

This added many variables to Lei Sanxiang's landing operation.

Ye Zhen, sharing her husband's thoughts, said softly: "My lord need not worry. General Lei is cautious and steady, and commands troops like a god—none of the Ming's veteran generals are his match. This battle will surely go smoothly."

Lin Qian felt a lump of stifled frustration lodged in his chest—unable to disperse, unable to expel—and could only sigh: "Through the ages, how many rises and falls have there been? Endless, the long river rolls on."

Ye Zhen quietly took his hand, her palm warm and soft, and said softly: "Tonight the moon is bright and the stars are few, the river waters broad and calm. In your wife's view, it well deserves the line: 'The tide is calm, both banks stretch wide; the wind is fair, one sail hangs high.'"

Lin Qian knew she was comforting him, and smiled: "Dawn approaches in the east—do not say you set out early. Let's walk a bit further; the sky will soon be light."

Zhongxuan fourth year, third month, seventh day.

Two infantry brigades of the Daxia Field Army, one artillery regiment, plus over a thousand soldiers of the Dongjiang Battalion—more than fifteen thousand men in total—landed at Dagu Fort.

The Ming soldiers at Dagu turned and fled the moment they saw the Daxia warships.

Lei Sanxiang's landing met not the slightest resistance.

After the landing was complete, Lei Sanxiang ordered all soldiers to carry only three days of rations and march north lightly equipped; all other baggage and heavy artillery were loaded aboard two hundred sand ships.

The great army advanced by both water and land toward the capital.

Along the way, they encountered no Ming resistance whatsoever—they barely even saw any people. But along both sides of the official road, one could see many withered corpses by the roadside.

After traveling west along the Hai River and the official road for two days, the army's vanguard arrived at the Tianjin Three Guards.

On paper, this place should have had over ten thousand battle-ready soldiers and was the grain transport hub south of the capital—but in reality, when Lei Sanxiang arrived, the Three Guards were almost entirely an empty city.

That evening, the Northern Expedition army camped beneath the walls of Tianjin, with scout cavalry riding out fifty li ahead for reconnaissance.

Around the hour of Zi, a squad of scout cavalry returned, unloading a prisoner from their horses and dragging him all the way into the central command tent.

"Regional Commander, we caught a big fish near Wuqing County. This man's surname is Tang—he's the Assistant Commissioner of the Tianjin Circuit Intendant's office."

Lei Sanxiang was discussing the route of advance with the various brigade and regiment commanders. He looked up at the words, sizing up Tang Shi with a glance—the man wore plain hemp clothing of a commoner, his face thick with dust, streaked with trails of snot and tears, clearly having wept bitterly since his capture.

"Oh? What a coincidence—I was just looking for someone to ask a few questions!"

Tang Qianshi immediately kowtowed: "This humble official will certainly tell all he knows without reservation, only begging the General to spare my life——"

"What of the troops and commanders of the Tianjin Three Guards?"

"They fled! The moment word of the Denglai navy's defeat arrived, they ran!

Governor Zheng——Huai, the Tianjin Governor Zheng Zongzhou, Tianjin Circuit Intendant Feng Ren, and Regional Commander Chao Pichang led the flight, taking all their troops, household retainers, gold, silver, valuables, property deeds, and land deeds with them.

The remaining Guard Commanders, Vice Prefects, Guard Provosts, and so on—all of them fled——"

Lei Sanxiang's tone turned harsh: "These bastards' fields and mansions are all here locally—could they really leave that easily? Don't you try to fool me!"

Tang Qianshi said urgently: "It's true, it's true! There's a saying in the official circles of the Northern Metropolitan Area—better to throw in with Li the Dashing King than with King Yama——

Those corrupt officials all went to join the rebel bandits."

Lei Sanxiang glanced at his intelligence officer, who nodded, acknowledging the claim as credible.

"Damn bastards!" Lei Sanxiang cursed under his breath, then continued, "On this road to the capital, how are the defenses at the remaining relay stations, prefectures, and counties?"

"Ever since the Denglai navy was destroyed and the Emperor issued the edict calling troops to defend the capital, every unit that could run has already run——"

"None went to answer the call?"

"None!" Tang Qianshi said with absolute certainty, "The situation is clear now—who would go die for the Great Ming——"

He paused, then added: "However, this humble official has heard that there is indeed one force from Shanxi that has traveled a thousand li to come——"

Kong Youde asked: "From Shanxi? Can they get through the Tartars' blockade?"

"The Tartars number fewer than twenty thousand, and having plundered for so long—seizing who knows how many captives and goods—their march has long since slowed. They're not worth worrying about.

Besides, it's already the third month now. By past custom, the Jianzhou barbarians should withdraw before early summer, so they have no heart for battle."

A young officer in the tent could not help but mock: "Ha, you've certainly calculated things clearly enough."

Tang Shi's face burned; he could only smile awkwardly and apologetically.

Lei Sanxiang waved his hand: "Take him away."

The next day at the hour of Mao, the army rose, washed their hands with tea-oil soap, ate breakfast, packed up the tents, and the scouts gradually returned to camp.

Kong Youde walked over to Lei Sanxiang with a furrowed brow: "Commander, we lost thirteen brothers last night, and another five were wounded."

Lei Sanxiang frowned: "How did that happen?"

"There are an enormous number of Jianzhou barbarian and Ming scout riders in this area. Our numbers are too few, so we came out on the losing end."

In horsemanship, archery, and mounted combat, the Great Xia cavalry was far from a match for the Ming or Qing forces. Moreover, fighting across the sea made transporting warhorses difficult, so the few scout riders they had were all men from the Dongjiang camp.

Last night seemed peaceful on the surface, but in truth the scout skirmishes were desperately dangerous—the Ming and Qing scout losses were considerable as well.

Lei Sanxiang said: "Narrow the outer reconnaissance range, and have each brigade send more elite scout companies ahead to probe the way."

"Yes!" the messenger replied.

With the camp packed up, the Northern Expedition Army continued its advance on both the land and water routes.

That evening they reached Yangcun Relay Station, and the next day arrived at Hexiwu. By then the army was barely over a hundred li from the capital.

Southwest of Lei Sanxiang's position, at the walls of Zhuozhou over a hundred and sixty li away.

On the open wilderness was camped the great army of the Two White Banners, their stockade stretching over ten li, layer upon layer of ox-hide great tents spread out. Within and without the camp, scout riders came and went without cease, horses' hooves churning the yellow dust into the sky.

At the corners of each tent were piled mountains of gold, silk, pearls, jade, and porcelain, beside which were tethered herds of mules, horses, and livestock seized in raids.

Outside the camp, a large open area was enclosed by wooden palisades, where tens of thousands of captured Han commoners were packed together like livestock, their wailing shaking the heavens.

Amid the scattered weapons and armor, a mounted scout galloped into camp, charging straight to the central command tent. He knelt in salute and reported: "Master, the Xia army has reached Hexiwu—eighty li from Tongzhou, a hundred li from the capital.

The Ming general Zhou Yuji has entered the capital with five thousand Ming troops; we haven't yet determined his intentions."

Ajige said: "Understood!"

The generals in the tent exchanged glances; the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

After a moment, a jala-i ejen said: "Master, we've been raiding inside the passes for four or five months now. Each niru has countless captives, livestock,

and wealth. Besides, summer is nearly here and the weather is turning hot—better to head back north soon and not wade into this muddy business."

A niru janggin beside him slapped his thigh, his face full of indignation: "What, scared just hearing the name of the Southern Xia?

These southern barbarians came across the sea on a long expedition, an isolated army deep in enemy territory—a perfect chance to swallow them whole. If we just run away now, even if the Khan doesn't hold it against us when word reaches Shengjing, won't the other Banners laugh at us all for cowards?"

The tent immediately erupted into chaos, the generals all arguing at once in a clamor.

But Ajige spoke up: "Who commands the Xia army?"

The scout said: "By the banners, it's a general surnamed Lei."

The niru janggin sneered: "Lei Sanxiang! This man was a Ming soldier at the Battle of Sarhu. He was lucky to escape with his life then—this time it won't be so easy!"

After pondering for a moment, Ajige said: "The Xia army's scouts are all useless—bottled up near their main camp, not daring to probe far out.

We'll exploit this advantage. The main force stays put at Zhuozhou, drawing the Xia army's eye.

Then we send two thousand elite troops around behind the Xia army. While the Xia and Ming armies are locked in a bitter struggle, we come out and stab them hard in the back!"

Hearing this, the generals all showed excited expressions, shouting and clamoring to be given the mission.

Late at night, a military officer in full armor entered the palace, stepping into the Forbidden City.

This man wore a crimson robe with a lion rank badge, his face haggard and weathered.

Beneath the platform's eaves, palace lanterns burned dim yellow. Wind swept around the cornices, and the eaves bells clattered and rang chaotically, the sound rippling outward layer by layer, making the entire palace seem even more deathly still.

Reaching the front of the platform, the officer removed his armor and set aside his blade.

The eunuch Wang Cheng'en came out and said: "By His Majesty's gracious decree—the Commander has ridden through the night in wind and dust, and is granted permission to enter the hall in armor."

The officer placed his saber on a nearby tray, then clasped his hands in thanks for the imperial favor.

He caught a glimpse of Chongzhen's booted shadow passing on the imperial steps and was just about to kneel in salute.

But a voice came down from the steps: "You come in full armor, Minister—no need for full ceremony."

The voice was full of hoarseness and exhaustion.

The military officer paused, then clasped his hands and said, "I thank Your Majesty. I am Zhou Yuji, Regional Commander of Daizhou, and I respectfully inquire after Your Majesty's well-being."

From the imperial dais came Chongzhen's voice, gentle yet tinged with urgency: "My dear minister, how many troops have you brought?"

"Five thousand battle-ready soldiers!"

Chongzhen fell silent, his face deathly pale, his lips trembling.

But Zhou Yuji dared not raise his head, and so could not see Chongzhen's expression.

Zhou Yuji hesitated for a moment, then steeled his resolve and declared in a clear voice: "Your subordinate dares not speak falsely—the rebel troops possess fine firearms and their edge is sharp. Five thousand men truly cannot turn the tide.

Yet your subordinate, having received Your Majesty's deep grace and bearing the duty to defend this land, has long since resolved to die.

When the day of battle comes, your subordinate will surely charge at the very front, fighting to the last soldier and the last arrow, and will never allow the rebels to come within a single step of the capital!"

Yahei

Pink Round

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